(Linda Vargas)
Join
Linda Vargas and her Flamenco Dance Company with flamenco guitarist, Demi
Fernandez, for an evening of pulsating rhythms and exhilarating flamenco jazz
music and dance as they perform with Neil Gonsalves on keyboards. Special guest
will be the internationally renowned percussionist, Efrain Toro,
Efrain
Toro began his musical career in his native Puerto Rico starting on the drum
kit. He very soon began to work with a wide variety of other instruments
leading him to be known as one of the most versatile drummer / percussionists
in the world. He has played on countless films and TV scores and has also
worked with a variety of great artists that include George Benson, Los Lobos,
Chicago, Placido Domingo and many others. He has authored five books for
musicians and artists and lectures extensively around the world.
Neil
Gonzales has a Masters’ degree in Jazz Studies from the University of
KwaZulu-Natal where he currently lectures and co-ordinates the various jazz
programmes. He has performed in various national music festivals with numerous
South Africa jazz and Afro-beat luminaries as well as his own band, Tonk. He
has also toured internationally, including a four-year stint as part of Johnny
Clegg’s band. He has released a solo album North
Facing which represents a blend of modern South African and Nordic Jazz.
Demi
Fernandez was born in Brazil of Spanish parents and spent many years living and
performing in Flamenco Tablaos in Spain. He has also appeared as leading
flamenco guitarist with all the top Spanish dance companies in South Africa and
became resident guitarist for the Linda Vargas Flamenco Dance Company in 1986.
He has composed musical scores for several SABC TV productions and also
appeared in numerous productions including Guitars
for Africa in Durban and at the Grahamstown National Arts Festival. He also
currently lectures in the University of KwaZulu-Natal’s Jazz programme.
The
Linda Vargas Flamenco Dance Company is an integral part of the Durban theatre
scene, enjoying sell out performances for their numerous productions over many
years. The most recent of these was Familia
Flamenco at the Catalina Theatre in 2010 and 2011. The company performs
both nationally and internationally and will present a re-imagining of Familia Flamenco when they join forces
with Flamenco Del Sur in Cape Town this December. An Evening of Flamenco Jazz is their first time fusion of flamenco
and jazz music and dance and promises to offer audiences a treat to remember!
An Evening of Flamenco Jazz runs from November 21 to 25 at
the Centre for Jazz and Popular Music on the UKZN’s Howard College campus with
performances nightly at 19h00 (Sunday at 15h00). Entrance fee R100 (R80
students / pensioners) with bookings through Thulile on 031 260 3385 (during
working hours) or email zamat1@ukzn.ac.za. Tickets are limited for each
performance so advanced booking is advised to avoid disappointment.
For up
to date information, Like the company on www.facebook.com/LindaVargasFlamenco
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