The above image was taken prior to an afternoon performance at Mesa Arts Center ‘Out to Lunch’ Series located at the Wells Fargo Garden.  This is a series that Mesa Arts Center offers free to the community.  I had the wonderful privilege of performing with Chris for an hour of pure flamenco fun!  There’s nothing I’d rather be doing on a beautiful Wednesday afternoon!  The weather was absolutely gorgeous and the audience — warm and enthusiastic!

Flamenco master

Influences are many for multitalented guitarist, composer

Chris Burton Jácome

About the musician:

Chris Burton Jácome

Originally from: Tucson

Creating music since: Professionally, 1999 
(began playing guitar in 1986)

Describe your music style: “I am a touring, concert Flamenco guitarist and composer. Flamenco is a gypsy art form of song/dance/guitar-playing from the southern province of Spain, Andalucía.”

Influences: “Flamenco guitar players Paco de Lucía, Tomatito, Gerardo Núñez, Chicuelo, Vicente Amigo, and Sabicas. Flamenco singers Fernanda and Bernarda de Utrera, Miguel Funi, El Lebrijano, Inés Bacán, La Niña de los Peines, Antonio Mairena, and Camarón. Non-Flamenco music: Caetano Veloso, Gilberto Gil, Sting, The Beach Boys, The Beatles, Billy Joel, Van Halen, Slash, J.S. Bach, Michael Jackson, Willie Nelson and of course, Metallica and Tori Amos.”

Résumé highlights: Title song from “Motivacion” a Top 10 finalist in 1999 John Lennon Songwriting Contest World Music category; “Eastern Eyes,” composed and performed by Jácome, on the soundtrack of the movie Amreeka, which debuted at 2009 Cannes Film Festival; Musical director of Calo Flamenco, Ballet de Martin Gaxiola.

Musician with whom you’d like to perform: “Sting.”

Upcoming performances: Florence (Ariz.) Main Street Festival, 11 a.m., Oct. 17 (free); Old Town Artisans, 201 N. Court, Tucson, 7:30 p.m., Oct. 30 ($20).

Discography: 2009 “Levanto” 
2005  “Flamenco”
2003   “It’s a Flamenco Guitar Christmas”
2002   “Pa’Lante”
1999   “Motivacion”

Web site: www.CBJMusic.com

Why Flamenco?

There is something in my chemistry that makes the chemistry of Flamenco very attractive. As I have come to know Flamenco better, for me it’s only become more alluring. I still get that amazing love-at-first-sight kind of ‘high’ to keep the passion going. Daily, weekly, yearly I appreciate, understand and love Flamenco as I share my life, my experiences and my feelings with it. I can easily say my lifetime won’t provide me enough time to explore the depths of Flamenco to the extent of my love for the art form.

Right after having such an amazing time in Oregon, we headed off to Ogden, Utah for a Calo Flamenco Concert at Perry’s Egyptian Theater on Saturday, October 3rd.

The sun was just rising as we arrived into the Seattle, WA Airport.  From the sky – Mount Rainier.

Sexy Jácome at 6am en la mañana!

With Bernadette & Martin.

With Martin.

Below: Chris giving a flamenco guitar master class the eve of our arrival in Utah.

Below:  I jumped in to do a little bit of fiesta por bulerias.

Martin teaching a flamenco dance master class on the eve of our arrival.

Members of the Calo Flamenco Family: L to R: Adrian Goldenthal, Chris Burton Jaocme, Julia Terrell, Olivia Rojas, Lena Jacome, Bernadette Gaxiola, Casey Blake & Kris Hill.

Tech.

Kris, Julia & Olivia.

Casey Blake – Lighting Designer Extraordinnaire

Discussing staging ques.

Chris Burton Jacome

Staging.

Kris & Adrian

Asking Julia questions.

Beautiful Olivia.

Amazing theater!

Above:  With Bernadette Gaxiola

Below: With Julia & Bernadette.

Members of the Calo Flamenco Family, L to R: Adrian Goldenthal, Chris Burton Jacome, Julia Terrell, Olivia Rojas, Lena Jacome, Bernadette Gaxiola, Martin Gaxiola, Kris Hill.

Visit: www.lenajacome.com for upcoming performances and projects.

I just returned home from a fabulous time with Calo Flamenco.  We had a few days and two amazing performances in Ashland, Oregon as part of the Oregon Shakespeare Festival.  We enjoyed our time with some fabulous friends!

Hanging out at the park during the afternoon and enjoying beautiful Ashland, Oregon.

Above: Calo Flamenco members hanging out after the performance.  From L to R: Chris Burton Jacome, Bernadette Gaxiola, Terry Longshore, Martin Gaxiola and Lena Jacome.

Above: The view outside our apartment. Nice!!

Below: Chris Burton Jacome

In the dressing room getting ready.

Posing with Terry & Bernadette prior to the concert.

Chris, Martin & Terry posing 5 minutes before showtime!

With fabulous dancer, instructor and mentor, Martin Gaxiola, after the concert.

Getting ready to go!

Posing with the beautiful, talented, amazing dancer, instructor & mentor, Bernadette Gaxiola.

Oh, the silliness.

With Bernadette & Terry.

Growl for me, baby!! From L to R: Grant, Terry, Ben, Chris & Martin

Great photo.

Les & Chris

With Sophie.

Grant Ruiz & Chris

Enjoying a great dinner with wonderful friends!

The two artistic talents: Chris & Martin

Visit: www.lenajacome.com to view upcoming performances and projects.

What a wonderful time!!  After being in Arroyo Grande The CBJ Flamenco Ensemble took a short drive to Morro Bay, California to enjoy the beauty of this fabulous town.  Thank you to Charlotte Bailey and The G. Roger Bailey Classical Guitar Scholarship Foundation and to the wonderful Chic Gilchrist  for creating such a memorable experience!

My handsome & gifted husband, Chris Burton Jacome, warming up prior to his performance at the G. Roger Bailey Benefit  held on September 20th.

Chris visiting with the audience.

Signing cd’s and visiting with the people after the benefit.

Martin Gaxiola, Olivia Rojas & Chris Burton Jacome

From L to R: Martin Gaxiola, Olivia Rojas, Charlotte Bailey, Chris Burton Jacome, Chic Gilchrist, Lena Jacome

Thank you once again to Charlotte & Chic.  We miss you!!!

Here are a few pics from The CBJ Flamenco Ensemble Concert in Arroyo Grande, California.  We had an amazing time and thoroughly enjoyed a magical evening at The Clark Center.

Olivia Rojas & Chris Burton Jacome prior to the concert.

Thank you to Martha Raymond for taking such fantastic images during the concert at The Clark Center.

Above: Olivia Rojas-Singer, Chris Burton Jacome-flamenco guitarist, Martin Gaxiola-Guest Artist, Lena Jacome.

Above: Martin Gaxiola

Below: Chris Burton Jacome

Thank you once again to Martha Raymond for taking these wonderful images of the CBJ Flamenco Ensemble Concert at The Clark Center.  For information regarding upcoming performances please visit: www.lenajacome.com

Clark Center for the Performing Arts

Arroyo Grande, California

Friday, September 18, 2009 at 8pm

Chris Burton Jácome began playing guitar more than 20 years ago and has become one of the most in-demand flamenco guitarists in the United States.
Chris is an artist who is capable of touching the hearts and souls of people of all ages, cultures and diverse backgrounds. As a testament to this ability, he has played to many sold-out theaters throughout the United States – from New York to San Francisco, from Canada to Mexico. While living in Seville, Spain, Chris studied flamenco guitar with some of the greatest flamenco performers of this era including Miguel Aragón, Enrique Robles and Cristo “El Francés. Flamenco Dancer Lena Jácome, special guest flamenco dancer Martín Gaxiola and singer Olivia Rojas will be joining Chris for this magical evening with one of the most innovative and inspiring new acoustic flamenco groups in the USA.

Ticket Prices: Gold Circle: $42 – Silver Seating: $37 – Bronze Boxes

***
Additionally — Two of Chris’ songs are in the movie, “Amreeka” which debuted at the Cannes Film Festival on Wednesday, May 20, 2009! “Amreeka” received a 6 minute standing ovation and has been bought by National Geographic! “Amreeka” – a film by Cherien Dabis – could be viewed in theatres as early as this September!

You can call the Box Office at 805-489-9444 or Click Here!

**Special Event**

Join me for a special evening with the Chris Burton Jácome Flamenco Ensemble & Calo Flamenco!
Where: Space 55
When: Friday, September 4th
Time:  8 – 10pm.
Where:  Space 55
$8.00 Cover
Taking place on First Friday in downtown Phoenix.
Seats will fill quickly so make sure to show up early.

*Wine tasting*
*Art work displayed by talented local artists*

You won’t want to miss this great evening of flamenco!
Space 55
636 E Pierce St.
(NW Corner of 7th St and Pierce St.)
Phoenix, AZ  85004

Please visit: http://www.sergiophotographer.blogspot.com/ to view photos shot during the CBJ Flamenco Ensemble Concert performed at Chandler Center for the Arts.  A special thank you to Sergio Photographer!

Flamenco del Pueblo Viejo:
Mele Martinez
(520) 309-8762
flamencodpv@gmail.com
www.tucsoniquete.com <http://www.tucsoniquete.com>

Presenting the 1st Tucson Spanish and Flamenco Festival…

Tucson, AZ – Casa Vicente is proud to present Tucson’s very first Spanish and Flamenco Festival!  This three-day festival will include authentic Spanish fare, fine wine tasting, Club España cooking demonstrations, refreshing sangria, a colorful Mercado and an outdoor stage featuring more than 30 local and guest flamenco artists. Special guest artists, Fanny Ara, Gabriel Osuna, and Ricardo Anglada will offer 3-day flamenco workshops in dance, song, and guitar. Flamenco del Pueblo Viejo will also offer a free kids workshop!

What: 1st Tucson Spanish and Flamenco Festival
Where: Casa Vicente, 375 S. Stone Ave.  Tucson, AZ 85701
When: Friday, September 18th, Saturday, September 19th, and Sunday, September 20th
Time: 8:00 pm – 1:00 am Friday and Saturday, 7:00 pm – 10:00 pm Sunday
Cost: $20 Friday and Saturday, $10 Sunday or purchase all three for $40 (price includes wine tasting, one glass of sangria)
Workshops: Time/Price – TBD
Website: www.tucsonspanishflamencofestival.com <http://www.casavicente.com> (website up August 22nd)
Contact: Casa Vicente, 884-5253