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Jazz Andalusí – Original Moroccan Flamenco Fusion Lamiae Naki Moroccan vocalsNat Hulskamp flamenco guitar/oudYosmel Montejo double bassManuel Gutierrez cajón/flamenco dance seffarine. comYouTube About Seffarine:“Seffarine's music can melt the coldest hearts”-Chicago ReaderAt a momentous first meeting at a coffee shop in Fez, Moroccan vocalist Lamiae Naki and multi-instrumentalist Nat Hulskamp composed their first song and decided to get married. Brought together by their deep knowledge of the music of both sides of the Straits of Gibraltar — Spanish flamenco and Moroccan Arabic music — they created Seffarine. Seffarine takes its name from the ancient metalworking square in Fez, which is famous for the complex rhythms that ring out from the blacksmiths' hammers, and where Lamiae's family is well known as masters of the tradition. Seffarine's music embraces and extends Morocco's musical collision between Arabic, Iberian and West African cultures, forging vibrant original music deeply rooted in their backgrounds in flamenco guitar, oud and Arab Andalusian music. Nat and Lamiae built an international quintet bringing in all star musicians from Iran, the US and Spain, who infuse the sound with textured instrumentation and inspired improvisation. Sweeping kamancheh (Persian spike-fiddle) ornamentation plays off gritty bass grooves and explosive flamenco footwork, with Lamiae's fluidly riveting voice at the center, sending up sheets of cascading Andalusi melodies punctuated by the catchy hooks of North African Chaabi, sung in her native Moroccan Arabic. Their sound has taken them around the world, from touring Indonesia, Australia and Europe to receiving grants to study Ottoman singing in Turkey, to recording with top flamenco musicians in Spain such as Diego del Morao and Latin Grammy Award winner Antonio Rey. About the artists:Lamiae Naki (vocals) Lamiae Naki was born in Fes, Morocco, where she studied Andalusian and classical Arabic singing. She leads the Portland-based ensemble, Seffarine, which has performed across the US, as well as Morocco, Canada, Indonesia, Spain and Turkey at venues like the Chicago World Music Festival and Toronto's Koerner Hall. She was recently awarded the Miller Foundation Spark Award for Artists and is proud to be representing creative North African music in the NW. Nat Hulskamp (flamenco guitar/oud) Nat was born in Portland, OR. He began studying guitar with guitarist/composer Paul Chasman at age seventeen. He was soon introduced to flamenco guitar by Jose Solano. His interest in the influence of Arabic music on flamenco led him to study oud in Morocco. After returning to the US, he moved to Seattle to study ethnomusicology at the University of Washington. In 2004 he moved to Portland and formed the trio Caminhos Cruzados with master jazz guitarist Dan Balmer and Ghanaian percussion virtuoso Israel Annoh. Nat has studied with the top flamenco guitarists of today including, Diego del Morao, Manuel Parrilla and Antonio Rey. He now resides in Portland, teaching flamenco guitar and oud at Reed College and composing and performing with Shabava, Caminhos Cruzados and Seffarine. Yosmel Montejo (double bass) A Cuban native, Yosmel began his musical studies at the age of 9 at the music conservatory in his hometown of Camaguey. He studied classical guitar, piano and composition, and conducted small ensembles. After becoming a guitar professor at a young age, he started practicing electric and eventually upright bass. Quickly becoming recognized in Cuba as one of the main musicians representing and defending Cuban music, he began touring outside the country at 22. Showcasing his versatility and unique musical approach as a bassist, he has been able to perform in various genres of music with well known artists such as Colin Hay (Men at Work) Sheila E, Poncho Sanchez, Oscar de Leon, Haila, Orlando Valles Maraca. His blend of Latin Jazz, Funk, Rock and flamenco is notable not just in his sound but also in his work as band leader, arranger and composer. Yosmel now resides in Los Angeles and leads the modern Cuban band La Caliente, which mixes Latin and jazz music. His deep knowledge of both West African influence in Cuban music and flamenco rhythms made Yosmel an immediate and perfect fit for Seffarine. Manuel Gutierrez (cajón/flamenco dance) From a young age, he showed a remarkable talent for dance, winning his first flamenco award at only 8 years old. He began developing his unique style under the direction of Lita Peiro, José Galván, and later with Joaquín Grilo and Javier Latorre. By the age of twenty, Gutierrez was already producing works and touring across Europe with legendary artists including Duquende, Chicuelo, Juan Carmona. He also began collaborating with top French choreographers such as Redha, Marjorie Ascione, and Gérôme Zerbie. His growing reputation as a choreographer and producer was cemented by critical acclaim: The Telegraph called his work “fiery,” Danse Magazine dubbed him “The Young Flamenco Prince,” and Le Figaro raved, “The dance is strong, voluptuous, and spectacular… a profound type of flamenco and incredibly explosive. ”In 2012, he co-created the production Juncal Street with Fanny Ara, and his choreography for the show was nominated for an Isadora Duncan Dance Award. He has performed with LA Opera as both principal dancer and choreographer in productions such as Carmen, Gato Montes, and Barbier de Seville. Additionally, he collaborated with renowned soprano Ana María Martínez in Suite Española at the Houston Grand Opera. Online ticket purchases close one hour before showtime. If the show is NOT sold out, and tickets remain, they can be purchased directly at the box office door. Doors open 30 minutes prior to showtime.
