Don Soledad presents: Arte y Pasion 3/5/2022
Blue Bamboo Center for the Arts, 1905 Kentucky Ave, Winter Park
Don Soledad presents “Arte y Pasíon” (Art and Passion) – an evening of flamenco.
Join Don Soledad on flamenco guitar, Josip Zambrano on percussion, Tanner Johnson on violin and flamenco dancers Briana and Sonia Small while they take you on a journey to Southern Spain.
"Arte y Pasíon" features original compositions from Soledad’s two albums, new repertoire and Don’s favorite compositions from Spanish flamenco guitar maestros as well as other surprises.
Inspired by the guitar of flamenco legend Paco de Lucia, Don Soledad cultivated his sophisticated, soulful sounds in Northern California, beginning with his early guitar studies with the great Spanish flamenco maestros - Mariano de Cordoba and Agustin Rios, the nephew of legendary guitarist Diego del Gastor.
Don's studies continued in the Southern region of Spain - Andalucia in the city of Jerez de la Frontera - with guitarist Juan Diego Mateos. Soon thereafter, Don was performing shows in San Francisco and the Sonoma and Napa Valley wineries.
As a performer and recording artist, Don has worked with talents in a variety of genres including rock singer Eric Martin (Mr. Big), Jazz bassist Kai Eckhardt (John McLaughlin and Garage Mahal), and opening for the late jazz guitar legend Larry Coryell. As a composer, Don has recorded two original albums, "Camino de Seda" in 2006 and "Soluna" in 2013. He also recorded a solo Christmas album, "December Lullaby" in 2015.
Upon departing the West Coast, Don has been a mainstay in Florida and other US states performing with his band "The Don Soledad Group," who won 1st place in Orlando's FusionFest 2020 for "Best Musician" category.
Josip Zambrano is a percussionist, musical arranger, producer, and radio host. He was born and raised in Valencia, Venezuela. From a young age, he started his studies in the city's music school. He continued his studies in the Simón Bolívar Music Conservatory in Caracas and then began his career as a percussionist in different symphonic orchestras and carrying out different specialties in the artistic area, as well teaching music, singing in choirs, arranging music and producing cultural events. With the "Ensamble de Metales," he traveled to perform and study in France and Spain in different festivals. He then turned to Flamenco, playing Cajón at Tablaos. Teaching and performing this instrument in various flamenco academies and theatrical productions, he had the opportunity to play with national and international figures in the musical and dancing scene. As a radio host, he is awarded with the "Torbellino" National Award for promoting the Flamenco with his semanal show "Tirititran Radio." In the last year, he has had the opportunity to perform with local artists in Southeast Asia, Thailand, India, and Nepal and complete his studies in Music Therapy and Mantra in the international association Yoga Alliance. Currently residing in Orlando (EEUU), he is getting in touch with the many academies and artists of the Flamenco Scene in Central Florida while performing and teaching this beautiful art.
Briana Small, one of Central Florida’s most talented up-and-coming dancers, is one of the principal dancers for the local Orlando dance academy Flamenco del Sol. She has been dancing flamenco for 11 years and under the direction of maestra Tammy Weber Millar for 8 years. Briana is currently on rehearsals for a production under the direction by one of Madrid’s best flamenco dancers and artistic director for ‘Spain’s Got Talent’ show Carlos Rodriguez.
Sonia Small has been dancing flamenco for 18 years and has been a member of Flamenco del Sol under the direction of Tammy Weber Millar for the past 10 years. Sonia hopes to continue her studies in the art of flamenco and all that it has to offer. She will be performing alongside her sister Briana and preparing a choreography for this special show with the Don Soledad Group.
Tanner Johnson is a lifelong violinist and multi-instrumentalist hailing from the Pacific Northwest. He is known for his instrumental virtuosity and dynamic performing style. With two decades of performance experience, he has performed with bands and orchestras around the world, both as a soloist and a sideman. He studied at the prestigious Berklee College of Music, and is currently a regular performer at Disney World. As a special events performer, he has impeccable 5 star reviews, and is a delight to audiences at all occasions. Notable performers Tanner has played alongside are John Patitucci, Ivan Lins, The Receiving End of Sirens, and The Dear Hunter.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JPvl5LrnSjQ