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JOSE RAMOS
Specialties Flamenco guitar, mostly taught using material by Paco de Lucia, Sabicas and other Flamenco greats.
Teaching Philosophy Emphasis on developing the technique to be able to execute the "falsetas," or building blocks of Flamenco, as well as emphasis on developing the sense of "compas" to abide by the rules of the many Flamenco styles. |
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This is critical to be able to work with other Flamenco artists, both guitarists, singers and dancers, and to gain respect in the Flamenco community. This goal is pursued through the very useful study of compositions from the great masters. The student is provided with an assortment of rasgueado, "alzapua" and arpeggio bridges in the different styles and encouraged to mix the many falsetas to create different arrangements of the material learned -- a type of improvisation. The material is provided in both notation and tablature forms, transcribed by Jose himself.
Education Jose began Flamenco guitar studies at the age of 14 with legendary Malaga guitarist Adonis Puertas. As has been the tradition among "Flamencos", he soon began studying the recorded music of Sabicas, Paco de Lucia and other Flamenco masters. He performed as a soloist and with his brother, Valeriano at college venues, and started playing professionally during the early-1980s. In the mid-1980s he expanded his ventures and collaborated with other Flamenco artists, including singers, dancers and guitarists mostly in the New England region.
Teaching Experience He has been teaching Flamenco guitar privately for over 20 years, recently transcribing all of the material he teaches. He is currently a faculty member at American Institute of Guitar in NYC and has also taught at University of Bridgeport in CT.
Performances and Recordings His collaborations with American Flamenco artists in the northeastern region of the United States, both as a recitalist and as a "cuadro" guitarist, have been at such venues as The Thalia Theater, Merkin Concert Hall, RegattaBar, The Village Gate, Educational Center for the Arts, The Little Theater, SpringFest International, Artspace-at-ECA, LaMama ETC, Shubert Theater and numerous art galleries and colleges. He has been featured in three CD releases with The Val Ramos Flamenco Ensemble and other recordings. He and Valeriano have appeared on cable TV programs, more recently in "Entertainment New Haven".
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