Flamenco Workshop with renowned flamenco guitarist Rafael

Introduction to flamenco techniques, rhythms and spirit for grade 6+ students

Sunday 17th May 2015

10am - 12noon

£20 per place This is part of the Advanced GuitarAcademy Series

Venue: Stoneham Court, Reading, RG30 4EZ

To book your place complete the form on reverse and send to

Amy Whitaker at Berkshire Maestros

Following a fine line

between innovation and

tradition, he has drawn

on his experiences from

performing in Spain,

Britain, Egypt, Singapore,

Qatar, France, Russia,

Ireland, Italy, Cyprus,

Thailand, Hungary,

Germany etc where he

has played with some of

the greatest folk, jazz,

classical and rock

musicians. Spain’s "El

País" newspaper hailed

his ability to "play with

the soul of a gypsy".

Over the years he has

recorded for many artists

including Bond girl and pop

diva Grace Jones and has

recorded endless library music

for television and radio.

In recent years, he has

collaborated in concert with

the Instituto Cervantes who

promote Spanish culture

abroad and with Tamara Rojo,

principal dancer of the Royal

Ballet.

Rafael has appeared on

numerous radio and television

broadcasts including Radio

Nacional de España, BBC and

the BBC World Service, ITV,

Granada Television (with the

Royal Philharmonic

Orchestra), Sky, CYBC Rik 1,

Channel 6, Egyptian National

Television, RTVE Spanish

Television and has performed

in the presence of Her Majesty

Queen Elizabeth II.

A few examples of Rafael's work appear in the best

selling “Guitar” book by Richard Chapman published by

Dorling Kindersley and The New Complete Guitarist.

Jason Webster dedicated his acclaimed best selling

book “Duende” to Rafael “For Rafa, and the duende

moments with him that inspired me”. The book is based

on Rafael’s life and stories living wth gypsies which was

subsequently revealed in the press.

In appreciation, Amalio Burguet luthier built a signatory

model “Rafael” flamenco guitar dedicated to the guitarist

for him to perform his concerts and recordings.

Rafael has featured in the television drama Midsomer

Murders performing on screen and appeared in a

television advert with the celebrated journalist Alan

Whicker. He recorded the guitar music to the BBC2

Natural World programme on Spain with Michael Portillo.

Rafael composed the music and performed for the

launch of the Duende DSP processor by Solid State

Logic, world leaders in recording desks. Peter Gabriel

the co-owner of SSL, who commissioned the piece,

turned up to listen and meet Rafael in Germany. He has

also been credited with ‘thanks’ on the Radiohead album

In Rainbows for his close friendship especially with

guitarist Ed O’Brien.

He is a very versatile

musician performing as

a soloist in Bizet's

Opera Carmen with

singers from the Royal

Opera House.