A fusion of traditional and new FLAMJAZZ by South Africa's top Flamenco guitarist Saudiq Khan and his virtuoso band. Under Andalucian Skies features Latin-style dances, from Tangos to Boleros, combined in a kaleidoscope of Spanish melodies with fiery Flamenco and cool Jazz rhythms.
Saudiq Khan hails from Cape Town, South Africa, and was inspired by Flamenco guitar music at an early age. He studied the guitar locally and in 1989 had the opportunity to travel to Spain to experience the true culture in the heart of the Flamenco world in Seville. During this time he studied under various Flamenco Aficionados. On his return to South Africa, he became involved with various Spanish Bands and Flamenco Dance Groups, performing all over the country. Saudiq became well known for his fiery Flamenco touch. In 1992 he started his own Flamenco Guitar School to promote Flamenco Guitar playing amongst local enthusiasts.
Great guitarists like Paco de Lucia, Rafael Riqueni and Carlos Bonell complimented the inspiration in Saudiq’s Flamenco world.
The group - currently the only authentic flamenco band in South Africa - debuted at the Oude Libertas Arts festival 2005/6.
BAND CVs:
SAUDIQ KHAN (flamenco guitar)
Saudiq Khan was inspired by flamenco guitar music at an early age when he met great guitarists like Paco de Lucia, Rafael Requini and Carlos Bonell. He studied guitar locally and later, in 1989, had the opportunity to travel to Spain , where he experienced the true flamenco culture in the heart of Seville . This is where he gained experience by studying guitar for a year under various flamenco aficionados.
On his return to Cape Town , he became involved with various Spanish bands and flamenco dance groups, performing all over the country. Khan soon became well known for his fiery flamenco touch while playing for dancers and shows. In 1992 he started his own Flamenco Guitar School to promote flamenco guitar playing among local enthusiasts.
His Gypsy King concert at the Baxter in 2004 was packed out, and his album "Granasturias" was a huge success when it was launched at theatres in Durban , Gauteng , and Cape Town during the same year. Other shows where Saudiq amazed South African audiences with his impeccable flamenco rhythms and original compositions include Le Noche de la Guitarra at Arstcape, and World in a Guitar & Highly Strung at the Baxter. A flamenco guitarist of note, Khan will impress any audience with this new art form FLAMJAZZ.
Saudiq, in collaboration with Casta Alma, plans to bring international acts, such as Tomatito and Paco de Lucia from Spain , to South Africa in the near future.
GASANT ADAMS (Rhythm guitar)
Gasant Adams, born in District Six, is today one of South Africa 's leading classical guitarists. He started guitar lessons at the age of 16 with classical guitarist Aubrey Wiegeland, and later with maestro Uliano Marchio at UCT. He has also taken part in master classes with world renowned guitarists such as Carlos Bornell.
Gasant has performed live on various radio stations across the country, and he presents regular guitar recitals all over South Africa . He is also a well-known name in Cape Town 's corporate and hotel entertainment industries, and has performed for various cabinet ministers, dignitaries, and high profile politicians.
CARINA BRUWER (Flute)
Carina Bruwer is a multi-award winning flautist, also well-known for her record-breaking marathon open water swimming exploits.
Carina, recipient of a 2004 Cosmopolitan Awesome Women Award, is a versatile soloist known for seamlessly fusing classical and contemporary styles (jazz, Latin and ethnic) in her performances. She received the degree B.Mus(Hons) cum laude from the University of Stellenbosch in 2003, having studied Flute Performance under Eva Tamassy. She also holds a UNISA Performers Licentiate which she received with highest distinction. She received her Jazz training from well-known Cape Town Jazz pianist Mertyn Barrow at the Cape Town "Jazz Workshop". While a student at the Stellenbosch Conservatoire, she annually received academic excellence awards, numerous Conservatoire prizes and bursaries, and in 2002 she was awarded Academic Colours from the University.
Carina has won numerous music awards, including the ATKV Muziq Category Prize, Distell Music Prize, Huguenot Prize, UNISA Overseas Study Bursary runner-up prize, plus SAMRO prizes for her interpretation of Hendrik Hofmeyer's Flute Concerto. She has performed as soloist with the Cape Philharmonic, Kwazulu Natal Philharmonic and University of Stellenbosch Symphony Orchestras .
Carina has performed and/or recorded with some of SA's top musicians, including Nina Schumann, Judith Sepuma, PJ Powers, Vicky Samson, DNA Strings, and Mertyn Barrow, amongst others. As session musician she has been involved in numerous recording projects (commercial CD's and movie soundtracks), and she has appeared on television on several occasions (including lifestyle inserts on the SABC2 magazine program Pasella , and Kyknet's Kwela ). She has been an ad hoc member of the Cape Film Orchestra, "Phantom of the Opera" Orchestra , the Cape Philharmonic Orchestra as well as the late National Chamber Orchestra and the SAAPA Orchestra; she was principal flautist of the University of Stellenbosch Symphony Orchestra in 2001, a member of the National Youth Symphony Orchestra 2001, and she appeared as a guest with the London Chamber Players in 2001.
Apart from performing as soloist and with Casta Alma, Carina is currently a member of the Afro-Cuban band "Salsa Candela" and the popular all female Classical Quartet, ACE.
ROBERT DAVIDS (Cajon)
Robert has been performing as resident percussionist and company flamenco dancer with La Rosa Spanish Dance Theatre since 2001. Under the musical direction of Bienyameen Camroodien and Carolina Rosa, he has performed with La Rosa SDT at most of the Western Cape's major venues (i.e. Artscape, Baxter, Spier, Oude Libertas, On Broadway) and has toured various national venues and Festivals (including KKNK 2004: Blood Wedding, Suidoosterfees 2006 and Bloemfontein).
Robert has featured as guest artist with flamenco guitar virtuoso, Saudiq Khan, and guitarist James Grace in their 2004 touring season of " Noche de la Guitarra " ( Cape Town, Durban, Port Elizabeth) . In August 2005 he performed in the production of " Highly Strung " at the Baxter Concert Hall where he was the featured percussionist with the five guitar virtuosos Tony Cox, Steve Newman, Saudiq Khan, James Grace and Greg Georgiades.
Although he specializes in the Peruvian drum, the cajon; Robert also performs as percussionist on the conga and djembe drums.
JOSEPH AVERJEL (congas)
Israeli-born percussionist extraordinaire Joseph Averjel has performed and recorded with numerous high profile musicians in Israel and south Africa . In 2003 he recorded with Yossi Fine and the Excentrix (Electic Voodoo Band), as well as Eric Einstein (Israeli Vocalist). In 2005 he performed with Frank Paco and "Tucan Tucan" in Mozambique , as well as with Jimmy Dludlu (Famous Guitarist and Composer of Afro-Jazz). He recorded with Dludlu on his latest album "Corners of my Soul"
Other artists he has performed with include Ray Blue ( New York saxophonist) and Sello Galane (pleaing "Free Kiba", a African / Limpopo / Zulu style).
In 2006 Joseph was part of the Latin American Choreography-art Dance and Music Show Tropicalismo. He is also a member of the 12-piece Afro-Cuban band Maquina Loca.
MAX STARCKE (Bass)
Since the age of 13, while studying jazz and classical saxophone under Bob Mowday at the Beau Soleil Music Centre, Max Starcke has performed extensively with various bands and orchestras. He also played bass guitar in various thrash metal bands (such as Damnatia) during his high school years.
Max graduated with a BMUS from the South African College of Music at UCT in 2004 with distinction in Ethnomusicology and a degree in classical guitar (under the tuition of Michael Hoole, Derek Gripper and Neefa). His De Wets Bay Suite for violin and guitar was awarded the Meyer Levinson prize for best composition in 2003 (while studying composition with Peter Klatzow). Since 2001 to the present day he has performed with an array of diverse musical projects, bands and artists, including Starkravingsane, Shukran, Dawn Treader, Hot Water, Alan Funk, Gypsy Fire, Ike Moriz, Casta Alma, La Rosa Spanish Dance Theatre, Michael Thorn and Souled. Max is currently working as a freelance bassist, saxophonist, film music composer and graphic artist.
SOUND SAMPLES:
Click on the links below to download sound samples
Miguel
Pagao del Cabo
Monolo Gitano
REPERTOIRE:
Cancions De Amor
Manolo Gitano
Andaluz
Prelude in d minor
GramAstarias
Farruk - Africa
Moleando de Cafe
Malaguenas
Casta Alma
GIPSI KINGS MEDLEY: Passion / Lagrimas / Miguel
La Vida Breve
Ami Padre
Tarantas
Pagao del Cabo
Mediterranean Sundance
