Gino D'Auri - Flamenco Passion

Gino D'Auri, world renown flamenco guitarist, has died of cancer at his Los Angeles home on 26 January 2007.

"These days, many people think that flamenco is about playing sixty thousand notes as quickly as possible. My flamenco is slower, very traditional and down to earth. I may use cello and percussion, but its done in a traditional way, without a lot of notes. For me the music is about feeling and improvisation. I like to take chances, the communication is better that way." ~Gino D'Auri

D'Auri was born in Rome, grandson of a Gypsy and a promising classical guitarist until the day he was fascinated by flamenco. He began studying classical guitar, but while in his teens, D'Auri was "traumatized by flamenco" when he saw the movie Sombrero with Jose Greco, the legendary flamenco dancer, and Geronimo Villarino, one of the all-time great flamenco guitarists.

"I had been studying classical guitar and done some recitals. Nothing major, just the usual repertoire. Then I saw the movie Sombrero with José Greco, the famous flamenco dancer. It was about a bullfighter who danced flamenco, and I got completely traumatized by his dancing and the music of guitarist Gerónimo Villarino, who I later found out is one of the all-time greats. I went back and saw the movie seven or eight times, to listen to the music and try to repeat what I'd heard." ~Gino D'Auri

D'Auri began playing flamenco music and investigating the rich cultures that fed the tradition. In 1967, D'Auri moved to the Los Angeles area, where he played in the flamenco clubs. In 1976, he recorded with Caldera, a groundbreaking world fusion band, on their self-titled album.

In 1980, Hearts of Space's Stephen Hill met D'Auri while Hill was producing a film soundtrack, and Hill was asked to produce D'Auri's first album, Nuevos Caminos (translated "New Paths"), on harpist Georgia Kelly's label (Heru Records). In 1984, the album was remastered by Sonic Atmosphere and re-released as Passion Play. According to Hill, D'Auri created a unique sound by amplifying his Japanese Takemine guitar and shaping the sound through a reverb unit. In the late 1980s, D'Auri played on two albums by Keiko Matsui, a Japanese new age/world fusion artist.

D'Auri's next solo recording, Flamenco Mystico, was with Hearts of Space/World Class, in 1992, followed by Flamenco: Passion & Soul in 1997. D'Auri has toured with famed dancer Jose Greco and often plays at flamenco restaurants in Southern California, such as Los Angeles' El Cid and Lare's in Santa Monica. ~Carol Wright

Following the highly successful Flamenco Mystico, Flamenco Passion is definitely an even much better one! The awesome dynamics, transients and rich tone of the flamenco guitar are augmented by the improvisation of a luscious cello! ~musicdirect.com

tracks:

1. Galicia Flamenca
2. Guajira Antigua
3. Barrio San Miguel
4. Los Moros
5. Ida Y Vueta
6. Las Minas
7. Camino Del Darro
8. Quelo de Triana






Gino D'Auri - Flamenco Mystico