Juan José Carranza
Bio
Juan José Carranza was first introduced to flamenco as a teenager in New York
City when he met a gypsy musician who taught him a complex guitar technique
known as rasqueado. This chance meeting ignited Carranza's passion for flamenco
and eventually prompted him to seek the life of a traveling musician.
Returning to Costa Rica, his country of origin, Carranza lived on the beach while
performing in bars and restaurants. His travels took him throughout Central
America, Mexico and Europe including Germany, Holland and Spain.
Along the way, Carranza learned from encounters with other flamenco players and
gypsies and honed his skills as a musician. Over the years, Carranza has developed
a highly percussive right hand strumming technique which reflects the influence of
Latin American rhythms and his role as a soloist and improviser.
The band:
Juan Miguel Medina Flores: cajon, darbouka, djembe
Originally from Mexico,Miguel studied percusion and composition at the M.
Ponce Center for musical studies at the cultural institute of Aguas
Calientes and with Nestor Vasquez, first percussionist of the Aguas
Calientes Symphonique Orchestra. In Montreal since 2001 he has participated
in concerts with Mruta Mertsi's contemporary ensemble, has worked on
compositions for Lauren Deglio.s choreography's (Tangente) and works at the
Jean-Pierre Perrault foundation and at the dance faculty at Concordia
University. Miguel has been working with Juan Jose Carranza since June of
2002.
Paul Mattsson: fretless electric bass and upright acoustic bass
Born in Montreal but of Argentine origin, Paul is currently a student of
McGill's jazz faculty. He combines his knowledge of jazz, latin, and modern
music, applies it to flamenco and strengthens the fusion of the different
elements of the ensemble.
Rae Bowhay: flamenco dance
With more than ten years of learning and stage experience, she has worked
equally on choreography and presentations in; Quebec, Alberta, and Los
Angeles. It's been six years that her work has been orientated towards the
development of a new style that combine qualities found in both art forms.
Track Listing of Flamenco de la Costa
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