Chris Burton Jácome Flamenco Ensemble at the Pacific Conservatory of the Performing Arts
January 24, 2009
On Saturday, January 24, 2009, The CBJ Flamenco Ensemble guest performed for the Tony Harmon Benefit Concert held at the Pacific Conservatory of the Performing Arts in Santa Maria, California. The area was absolutely beautiful and the weather was superb. … Perfect for a flamenco extravaganza. Featured Artists included: Guitarists, Tony Harmon & Ray Pannell & Percussionist, Johnny Sandoval. Guest artist included flamenco guitarist, Chris Burton Jacome and his ensemble: Singer, Olivia Rojas, guest flamenco dancer, Martin Gaxiola and dancer, Lena Jacome. Below are a few pictures from the magical evening. All photos are courtesy of Mr. Craig Shafer. Thank you Craig, for capturing great images!
To read the interview on Chris Burton Jacome by writer, Shelly Cone, please visit: Santa Maria Sun
(Above) Chris Burton Jacome
(Below) Olivia Rojas
Martin Gaxiola, who is also the Artistic Director of Calo Flamenco.
(Above & Below) Dancing my solo.
(Above from L to R) The entire ensemble : Tony Harmon, Ray Pannell, Chris Burton Jacome, Olivia Rojas, Martin Gaxiola, Lena Jacome & Johnny Sandoval.
(Above & Below) Dancing Fiesta por Bulerias
(Below) Martin dancing Fiesta por Bulerias
Thank you to Tony Harmon for creating and organizing this wonderful event and for including the CBJ Flamenco Ensemble to share in an unforgettable evening. Thank you, once again, to Mr. Craig Shafer for sharing your amazing images during the performance.
Please visit Lena Jacome for information regarding upcoming flamenco performances and workshops!
Santa Maria Sun
January 23, 2009
The following article was posted on January 13th, 2009, in the Santa Maria Sun – Volume 9, Issue 44
Rhythm of the night
A flamenco ensemble headlines PCPA’s evening fundraiser
BY SHELLY CONE
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Some songs seem to pulse with the very rhythm of life itself, creating a soundtrack for reality, whether slow and dramatic, loud and chaotic, happy, melancholy, or meditative. If you’re Chris Burton Jácome, your soundtrack has an exhilarating little kick. As flamenco guitarist Jácome’s fingers fly, they flick out notes one by one, which string together to create an intoxicating melody. The process seems natural to Jácome, but playing guitar wasn’t always on his mind.
Jácome was taking classes toward a degree in electrical engineering when he realized he was following the wrong path. His calculus and computer programming courses weren’t as exciting as the music classes he was taking as electives.
The day came when he was assigned to write a complicated computer program.
“I thought, ‘I am in the wrong class,’” he said.
At the same time, he was asked to write a piano piece for one of his music classes.
“I was much more excited about that,” he remembered. “I realized I was enjoying those music classes much more than my engineering requisites.”
So he followed his musical calling. But getting through his studies at the University of Arizona had its own challenges.
“Every week you had to perform in front of your peers,” he said. “And they would just tear you apart because they all know how to play the classical piece you’re performing, and they all think they can play better than you—and sometimes they can. It’s very competitive.”
The reward came at the end of his senior year when his recital drew a standing-room-only crowd of friends and supporters. Representing a change from his performances in front of his peers, this show drew an audience packed with people seeking the pure enjoyment of listening to him play—not to critique or judge. Thus, Jácome found his love of performing.
He also found his love of flamenco. His electric guitar teacher introduced him to the genre, but Jácome—a fourth-generation Mexican-American who grew up listening to country and top 40 tunes—is hard pressed to explain why he connects with the music.
“It’s like trying to explain why you like your favorite song,” he said. “Maybe it goes down to a cellular level, and maybe it’s a vibration that works well with the vibration of your being.”
If that’s the case, Jácome has some good vibrations—and some well-tuned vibrations at that.
Since he first started playing guitar in 1986, Jácome studied with some of the greatest flamenco performers while living in Sevilla, Spain. That list includes Miguel Aragón, Manolo Franco, Ethan Margolis, Juan del Gastor, Juan Amador, Juana Amaya, Enrique Robles, Segundo Falcón, and Cristo “El Francés.” Since Jácome’s return from Spain, he’s been performing in more than 200 shows a year.
His music can be heard in scores for the Emmy Award-winning PBS television special Flamenco and on TV shows like Kyle XY and Greek. Jácome’s flamenco version of the Christmas classic, “Joy to the World,” was included in Coldwater Creek Catalogue’s 2004 Christmas CD. Jácome can also be heard as the featured soloist in the movie soundtrack of 9/tenths.
Even with so much exposure, Jácome’s greatest accolade remains an appreciative audience.
While preparing for a performance in New York City with Calo Flamenco, the flamenco dance ensemble he co-founded with Martin Gaxiola, Jácome didn’t know what to expect.
“Then the stage manager knocked on the door and told us there was a line around the block,” he said. “Chills went through us.”
In the end, the venue had to turn away about 100 people. Jácome said he was proud to be part of the company, helping to grow it.
“It was a phenomenal experience, but even though it was music that I composed, it doesn’t do anything without these people, these dancers, who put their heart and souls into it,” he said.
Reflecting on his career, Jácome admits he’s accomplished a lot, but as he heads back to the studio to record his latest CD, he also allows that he’s not finished.
“There’s still lots more things to do,” he said.
Calo Flamenco at Pinedale Auditorium
January 21, 2009
All Photos Courtesy of Pam McCulloch
PFAC presents Calo Flamenco
by Pam McCulloch
January 21, 2009
Thursday, January 15th, the Pinedale Fine Arts Council presented Calo Flamenco Ballet De Marin Gaxiola. Flamenco is a mixture of song and dance, with clapping and instruments used to keep the rhythm. No two performances are alike. The music was composed or arranged by Chris Burton Jácome.
The musicians played and sang beautiful music.
Gaxiola dances with expression and emotion.
Chris Burton Jácome has played with some of the greatest flamenco performers of the era.
Marielena Jácome performs Tormenta De Gracia, which means ‘Perfect Storm’.
For the full article and photo gallery regarding Calo Flamenco please visit:
http://www.pinedaleonline.com/news/2009/01/PFACpresentsCaloFlam.htm
“A radiance pure and splendor like the sun” …..Wyoming Tour!
January 19, 2009
January began with Calo Flamenco rehearsals culminating into two fabulous concerts held in Wyoming. What an amazing experience to drive by the Teton Range with the setting sun as a backdrop. I soaked in both the indoor and outdoor pools at the Thermopolis Hot Springs and sat in the soothing Vapor Cave. I met up with some wonderful friends and former fellow grad students from ASU who are amazing and talented artists now residing in Jackson, Wyoming. I can’t say enough about the wonderful experiences during this trip!
The Teton Range
Enjoying the beauty that is Wyoming.
The airport.
The hotel.
On route from The Thermopolis Hot Springs to Cody.
Martin & Casey discussing lighting cues.
(Above) The Musical Director with the Artistic Director.
(Below) Daydreaming during the lighting & sound tech.
(Below) The musicians.
(Above & Below) Rehearsing at the Wynona Thompson Auditorium.
(Above) Chris Burton Jacome & Kris Hill
(Above) with Casey
(Above) Olivia Rojas. Hello Olivia.
(Above) The Calo Flamenco Crew with the Artistic Director, Martin Gaxiola.
(Below) Calo Flamenco Company
(Above) Calo Flamenco with Musical Director, Chris Burton Jacome. (I was so cold that I couldn’t stand up straight any longer).
(Below) Wyoming.
What an incredible time and great way to begin 2009!
A Compilation…..
January 12, 2009
I just got home from performing at Kazimierz World Wine Bar with the CBJ Flamenco Ensemble and I’m unable to wind down and get to bed, so I thought I would compile a few photos that I’ve accumulated over the past year and add them to my slideshow.
Kurt Hasper
January 1, 2009
Happy New Year!!! Chris & I have just returned from a fabulous trip visiting with la familia over the holidays. What a wonderful time!!!
It has been a phenomenal 2008 and I have met up with some really fascinating and artistic individuals. This past October I had the awesome opportunity of being photographed by Mr. Kurt Hasper, a wonderful and talented photographer. Below are a few images taken during the the Halloween Night performance with the CBJ Flamenco Ensemble at Desert Botanical Garden.
To view more of Kurt’s work please visit his gallery at: http://www.pbase.com/khasper
For additional inquiries regarding Kurt’s photography please contact him at: k2hasper@msn.com
Thank you, Kurt for taking such beautiful images!! Here’s to an amazing 2009!!
The Lena Jácome Weblog 