Being the first Mexican national to get a degree in flamenco from the Superior School of Music of Catalonia, Manuel Alonso is quite adept in blending Latin American music with flamenco. This weekend, the guitarist will conduct a music workshop at Swarnabhoomi Academy of Music (SAM), where he will provide intensive training sessions on music performance and production. This comes close on the heels of an earlier workshop at SAM by another flamenco-inspired guitarist Denis Stern. Joining Manuel in the camp will be Indian drummer Jeoraj George from Bengaluru, who will introduce the participants to various drumming techniques and concepts.
Manuel is coming to India for the first time, and he is keen to explore other places in the country after the camp in Chennai. Talking about how he is going to show the participants his various influences in music, he says, “I want them to have a fresh approach to flamenco music. While I talk about traditional melodies, rhythms, improvisation and harmony in flamenco. I will also play some original compositions.” However, he does not restrict himself to just flamenco while making new music, he says. “I also use other Latin elements, like cha cha cha and traditional Mexican music,” while attributing his travel experiences to the evolution of his music. “I just like to sound different. That’s why I’m always trying to play with other musicians of different places, genres and instruments. I think this can enrich oneself,” he says.
Having participated in events like the Euro Jazz Festival and the International Guitar Festival (alongside masters like Brazilian guitarist Egberto Gismonti and Cuban composer Leo Brouwer), Manuel has also performed at Teatro del Libertador General San Martín, one of the oldest theatres in Latin America. “I have also tried learning Carnatic music and tabla, during my course in Barcelona, but I would like to explore other Indian sounds,” he says. But for now, Manuel’s hands are full with a couple of projects — a collaboration with jazz pianist Jordi Barceló and his second solo album, where he will work with new sounds like traditional Mexican jarocho and symphonic orchestra.
June 30 to July 2. Details: 73580-00770.