Instrument: Electric Flamenco Guitar.
1966. Barcelona, Spain.
Chameleonic musician - sensitive - innovator ... Encircled by some of the most relevant artists, in the Spanish Gypsy Flamenco tradition and through his career has worked with many of the best known musicians from the modern music world of today.
From the Gypsy Flamenco world and his roots, he has worked with:
Estrella Morente, Barbería del Sur, José "el Francés", Niña Pastori, Joaquín Cortes, Ketama, Barbería del Sur, Bernardo Parrilla, Antonio Carmona, Javier Colina, Pata Negra, Farruquito, Pepe Habichuela, Luis Amador, Diego del Morao, Guadiana, Carles Benavent, Tomatito, Niño Josele, Jorge Pardo, Chano Dominguez, Ramón “el Portugués”, Diego Amador, Enrrique Piculabe, Antonio “Agujetas”, Jose “Salao”, etc…
From his musical adventures and travels, he has worked with Jazz greats such as:
Jimmy Smith, M’Shelle N’Dege O’Cello, Candy Dulfer, Tower of Power, Luis Salinas, Larry Harlow, Jimmy Cobb, Christian McBride, Terence Blanchard, Nicholas Payton, Bob Sheppard, Howard Johnson, Peter Erskine, Thijs van Leer, Jeff Ballard, Larry Harlow (Fania all Stars), Meddy Gerville, Jovino Santos Neto, Vince Mendoza, Jerry Gonzalez, Alex Acuña, Sammy Figueroa, Rabih Abou Khalil, Gino Vannelli, Bombino, Mino Cinelu, etc...
A complete different way of aproaching the electric guitar, coming from his Spanish gypsie’s flamenco inheritance, self-taught on his instrument, Jaco Abel’s revealing work on “Flamenco Electrico” 2006 opened the door to a new sound and introduced the Electric Flamenco Guitar into the traditional flamenco music from Spain, as well as giving a new prospective and a twist in to the electric guitar world.
Combining concerts in Europe and internationally, in July 2011 he released “Ayaya” his third solo CD, playing the most pure Flamenco from the “Andaluzian Golden Age.” which dates back 100 to 150 years ago, played on his Marcovich custom electric flamenco guitar and inspired by Flamenco greats such as Ramón Montoya, Sabica, Niño Ricardo, Niña de los Peines, Mandeli, Carmen Amaya and others.
Jaco Abel has worked and collaborated with international brands and organizations:
Dior, Loui Vuitton, Spanish Embassy, Instituto Cervantes, Holland and Bosnian Departments of Culture, Amnesty International, Spanish Olympic Commission, Endemol, Hendrix Foundation USA, Catalan Government Cultural Depatment, CSUN Jazz Band Los Angeles USA, etc …
Highlights
- 2013: Salao & Jaco Abel Flamenco Electrico, offered 20 concerts in main citys all around Spain, atending the music program “Diversons” promoted by the Catalan Bank “la Caixa.”
- 2012: Top 10 legendary African Tuareg guitarist and singer Bombino performed together with Jaco Abel Flamenco Electrico in Barcelona, mixing for the first time traditional Desert music and Flamenco live on stage.
- 2011: Jaco’s third CD "Ayaya Electric Flamenco Guitar", was finalist for the prestigious Award 'FLAMENCO HOY' 2011, selected by the independent Spanish National Flamenco Critics in the category of Best Instrumental Record. This Award in the Flamenco world has the prestige and is compared to the American Grammys. Is given by 70 of the best Flamenco journalists and specialize press from Spain.
- 2010: Jaco recorded live in NY the eight-minute lead chart of the track "Solea," with flamenco and electric guitar; a version of the great Gil Evans/Miles Davis original from the record "Sketches of Spain". The upcoming CD "Miles from Spain," was produced and arranged by Grammy winner Bob Belden, directing a classical orchestra and a group with Carles Benavent, Sammy Figueroa, Alex Acuña and others....
The upcoming release 08/31/2011 is a live DVD and CD "Miles from Spain" 50th Anniversary, also featuring great artists such as Chick Corea, John Scofield, Jack DeJohnette, Ron Carter, Sonny Fortune, Eddie Gomez, Gonzalo Rubalcaba, Antonio Sanchez, Rabih Abou-Khalil, etc...
- 2009: In August, Jaco had the honor of performing at the Miles Davis Tribute at the Hollywood Bowl in Los Angeles, California. Orchestra directed by Vince Mendoza, featuring Jimmy Cobb, Peter Erskine, Nicholas Payton, Christian McBride, etc...
In May, he performed a solo guitar concert, sharing the night with Ana Hasler and Lenny Kravitz for the world presentation of the Madrid Tennis Open, and the presentation of Madrid as a candidate city for the 2016 World Olympics. Jaco was honored to perform this concert in the presence of the Spanish President José Luis Rodriguez Zapatero, the Madrid's community president Esperanza Aguirre and the city's mayor Alberto Ruiz-Gallardon.
- 2007: Release of the DVD “Flamenco Electrico” a live recorded concert at the Barcelona International Jazz Festival with his gypsie sextet, especial guest, Pepe Habichuela.
- 2006: Release of second solo CD “Flamenco Electrico” a Flamenco music CD, played all on electric guitar; establishing the first reference of this instrument in the Flamenco world and with the valuable collaborations of: Ramón “el Portugues”, Ana Salazar, Paquete, Pepe Habichuela, Jorge Pardo, Luis Amador, Luki Losada, Manuel, Bernardo and Juan Parrilla, Pepe Luis Carmona, etc...
- 2005: Represents Spain with his record Gitano Cromatico in Eurojazz, a music Festival organized every year that contains one group from every country of the European Economical Community. This edition was hosted in the National Center of Arts in the city of Mexico.
- 2003: Release of his first work as a soloist “Gitano Cromatico” with Jeff Ballard, Josep Cucurella, Thijs van Leer, Ramon Valle, Benjamin Herman, Jaime Rodriguez, etc...A cd containing world music influences from the American continent mixed with flamenco. rhythms.
As an educator:
Teaches several “master-classes”, on a practice level he explains the techniques from the Electric Flamenco Guitar, and the Flamenco Guitar with material from Ramón Montoya, Sabicas, Niño Ricardo, etc... And more theoretic, explains history and evolution of Flamenco music, with multiple audio and video examples from all periods.
Master Classes and Residencies:
- Taller de músics, Barcelona, Spain.
- ESMUC Escola Superior de Musica de Cataluña, Barcelona, Spain.
- Rhythmic Music Conservatory (RMC), Copenhagen, Denmark.
- Groningen music conservatorium, Holland.
- Escola de Musica de Badalona, Barcelona.
- Seattle Drum School, USA.
- Reunion Island (Music Conservatory of St Deni), Madagascar, Africa.
- Escuela de Música Creativa, Madrid.
- Howard Roberts Music Institute, Seattle USA
- JazzSchool, Berkekey CA, USA.
As a producer and together with all the musical activity, Jaco owns an independent record label, “GCProducciones” and an Online music store "www.gcproducciones.com" where he is producing, playing and releasing, a series of cds all related to the flamenco world as:
Bernardo Parrilla, Carles Benavent, Diego de Morao, Adam del Monte, Guadiana, Erik Zobler, Moy Natenzon, Paquete, Tomatito, Los Losada, Los Rubio, Adam Rapa, Jorge Pardo, Jose “el Francés”, Manuel Parrilla, Victor Little, Luis Amador, Pablo Ruben Maldonado, Luki Losada, etc...
Among other Recordings:
- Estrella Morente."Calle del Aire" Virgin Records, España
- Triana Heredia. "Fragua Futura" Nuevos Medios
- La Barbería del Sur. "Negri y Paquete" Warner Music Spain
- José el Francés."Jugando al Amor" BMG Music Spain
- Gerardo Rosales. "El Venezolano" A-Records marketed by Challenge
- Jay Tee."Play da bass". Candy Dulfer, Alain Caron, David Garibaldi y Mike Stern... Hot Wire Records, EFA
Sound Tracks:
- 2004 Soundtrack “Making off” from “The Passion of the Christ”. Mel Gibson.
- 2004 “Zahira la que florece” Movie about the Madrid terrorist attempts on March 11th, final sequence. Canal+. - 2005 Short movie “Las Hormigas” by Tina Rodriguez. - 2009 Flamenco music for the inauguration gala of the Magic Box tennis venue and the opening of the 2009 Madrid Tennis Open, also presenting the Candidature of the city of Madrid for the 2016 world Olympics.
Press Quotes:
-“ A piece of work that time will grant the condition of philosophical stone”
La Vanguardia – 12/2006. Mingus B. Formentor.
- “ A record that distinguishes from the usual flamenco fusions, because it searches the inspiration on the antique flamenco “ palos ” and chantings.
El Periodico – 12/2006. Roger Roca.
- “ With a very special “ duende” in his new work, Jaco Abel makes the CD listening clean, passionate and technically impeccable”
Revista Alma 100 - 02/2007. Antonio Valentín.
- “ With his electric guitar, recovers ancient melodies and harmonies. A trip to the antic flamenco, under the great influence of the maestro Pepe Habichuela”.
- Acordes de Flamenco – Nº 4 2007.
Press:
Flamenco Electrico" of Jaco Abel in Madrid and Barcelona
Alma 100, Number 69/2006. A Escribano.
The past 26 of November was presented at the "Sala Cardamomo" in Madrid the record "Flamenco Electrico" from the electric guitarist Jaco Abel. In his performance in Madrid, Jaco was backed up by Melon Jimenez (flamenco guitar), Bandolero and Juan Carmona "tallarin" on percussion and Joni Cortes on vocals. The night counted with the presence in the audience of Pepe Habichuela, Josemi Carmona, Paquete, etc... that wrapped up this second work of the catalan musician. An original and innovating proposal that adapts the flamenco technics to the electric guitar, and that also was successfully presented on the fist of december in the well known room "Sala Luz de Gas" in Barcelona, inside the 38th edition of the International Barcelona Jazz Festival.
The Electric Flamenco of Jaco Abel
Diario de Cádiz. 13/nov/2006. F Lobaton.
We are in front of a project that is as curious, as it is original. Remembering the music instruments, there are many of them -string, metal or wood- who have been added in to flamenco and its expressive capacity, reserved for many years for the singing and guitar. It comes to my mind for example the piano- already with a large tradition- the flute, the violin and even the electric bass, but the more I think I can't really remember that some one wanted to do a flamenco record, on electric guitar and sounding on top of it, flamenco.
Behind this proposal we find a "Chromatic Gypsy" (that is the name of his first CD and his record company) Jaco Abel a musician with as rich as an intensive career. In his teens he studied violin, trumpet, music composition and harmony at several music conservatories, around 19 he decided to change his Spanish guitar for an electric, then he perfection his flamenco with Pepe Habichuela (Jaco´s CD is dedicated to him).
He has traveled around the world and played with many different musicians from diverse backgrounds, now a days he lives in Madrid and he has transported the flamenco techniques to his electric guitar. Playing with a pick, he has also all the effects from the flamenco music guitar like: strums, arzapua, fast picking or hits on the guitar top, and even the sound is not usual, he can really makes his guitar sounding flamenco.
The repertory is also flamenco, with soleare, bulerias, tangos, tanguillos, alegrias, and a surprising taranta played alone on his guitar and a fret-less one. The experience calls my attention and I want to know which instrument is he playing. It is not a Fender or any of the traditional brands, he plays guitars made in Holland by the Maestro Daniel Marcovich. The record also has an important group of collaborators that contribute to the flamenco sound, that Jaco looks for, like. Ramón "el Portugués", Ana Salazar, Jorge Pardo, Paquete, Bandolero, Josemi Carmona, Manuel, Juan y Bernardo Parrilla, and of corse his maestro Pepe Habichuela with whom he plays a Malambo, an Argentinean dance that sounds here with "aire de ida y vuelta".
1966. Barcelona, Spain.
Chameleonic musician - sensitive - innovator ... Encircled by some of the most relevant artists, in the Spanish Gypsy Flamenco tradition and through his career has worked with many of the best known musicians from the modern music world of today.
From the Gypsy Flamenco world and his roots, he has worked with:
Estrella Morente, Barbería del Sur, José "el Francés", Niña Pastori, Joaquín Cortes, Ketama, Barbería del Sur, Bernardo Parrilla, Antonio Carmona, Javier Colina, Pata Negra, Farruquito, Pepe Habichuela, Luis Amador, Diego del Morao, Guadiana, Carles Benavent, Tomatito, Niño Josele, Jorge Pardo, Chano Dominguez, Ramón “el Portugués”, Diego Amador, Enrrique Piculabe, Antonio “Agujetas”, Jose “Salao”, etc…
From his musical adventures and travels, he has worked with Jazz greats such as:
Jimmy Smith, M’Shelle N’Dege O’Cello, Candy Dulfer, Tower of Power, Luis Salinas, Larry Harlow, Jimmy Cobb, Christian McBride, Terence Blanchard, Nicholas Payton, Bob Sheppard, Howard Johnson, Peter Erskine, Thijs van Leer, Jeff Ballard, Larry Harlow (Fania all Stars), Meddy Gerville, Jovino Santos Neto, Vince Mendoza, Jerry Gonzalez, Alex Acuña, Sammy Figueroa, Rabih Abou Khalil, Gino Vannelli, Bombino, Mino Cinelu, etc...
A complete different way of aproaching the electric guitar, coming from his Spanish gypsie’s flamenco inheritance, self-taught on his instrument, Jaco Abel’s revealing work on “Flamenco Electrico” 2006 opened the door to a new sound and introduced the Electric Flamenco Guitar into the traditional flamenco music from Spain, as well as giving a new prospective and a twist in to the electric guitar world.
Combining concerts in Europe and internationally, in July 2011 he released “Ayaya” his third solo CD, playing the most pure Flamenco from the “Andaluzian Golden Age.” which dates back 100 to 150 years ago, played on his Marcovich custom electric flamenco guitar and inspired by Flamenco greats such as Ramón Montoya, Sabica, Niño Ricardo, Niña de los Peines, Mandeli, Carmen Amaya and others.
Jaco Abel has worked and collaborated with international brands and organizations:
Dior, Loui Vuitton, Spanish Embassy, Instituto Cervantes, Holland and Bosnian Departments of Culture, Amnesty International, Spanish Olympic Commission, Endemol, Hendrix Foundation USA, Catalan Government Cultural Depatment, CSUN Jazz Band Los Angeles USA, etc …
Highlights
- 2013: Salao & Jaco Abel Flamenco Electrico, offered 20 concerts in main citys all around Spain, atending the music program “Diversons” promoted by the Catalan Bank “la Caixa.”
- 2012: Top 10 legendary African Tuareg guitarist and singer Bombino performed together with Jaco Abel Flamenco Electrico in Barcelona, mixing for the first time traditional Desert music and Flamenco live on stage.
- 2011: Jaco’s third CD "Ayaya Electric Flamenco Guitar", was finalist for the prestigious Award 'FLAMENCO HOY' 2011, selected by the independent Spanish National Flamenco Critics in the category of Best Instrumental Record. This Award in the Flamenco world has the prestige and is compared to the American Grammys. Is given by 70 of the best Flamenco journalists and specialize press from Spain.
- 2010: Jaco recorded live in NY the eight-minute lead chart of the track "Solea," with flamenco and electric guitar; a version of the great Gil Evans/Miles Davis original from the record "Sketches of Spain". The upcoming CD "Miles from Spain," was produced and arranged by Grammy winner Bob Belden, directing a classical orchestra and a group with Carles Benavent, Sammy Figueroa, Alex Acuña and others....
The upcoming release 08/31/2011 is a live DVD and CD "Miles from Spain" 50th Anniversary, also featuring great artists such as Chick Corea, John Scofield, Jack DeJohnette, Ron Carter, Sonny Fortune, Eddie Gomez, Gonzalo Rubalcaba, Antonio Sanchez, Rabih Abou-Khalil, etc...
- 2009: In August, Jaco had the honor of performing at the Miles Davis Tribute at the Hollywood Bowl in Los Angeles, California. Orchestra directed by Vince Mendoza, featuring Jimmy Cobb, Peter Erskine, Nicholas Payton, Christian McBride, etc...
In May, he performed a solo guitar concert, sharing the night with Ana Hasler and Lenny Kravitz for the world presentation of the Madrid Tennis Open, and the presentation of Madrid as a candidate city for the 2016 World Olympics. Jaco was honored to perform this concert in the presence of the Spanish President José Luis Rodriguez Zapatero, the Madrid's community president Esperanza Aguirre and the city's mayor Alberto Ruiz-Gallardon.
- 2007: Release of the DVD “Flamenco Electrico” a live recorded concert at the Barcelona International Jazz Festival with his gypsie sextet, especial guest, Pepe Habichuela.
- 2006: Release of second solo CD “Flamenco Electrico” a Flamenco music CD, played all on electric guitar; establishing the first reference of this instrument in the Flamenco world and with the valuable collaborations of: Ramón “el Portugues”, Ana Salazar, Paquete, Pepe Habichuela, Jorge Pardo, Luis Amador, Luki Losada, Manuel, Bernardo and Juan Parrilla, Pepe Luis Carmona, etc...
- 2005: Represents Spain with his record Gitano Cromatico in Eurojazz, a music Festival organized every year that contains one group from every country of the European Economical Community. This edition was hosted in the National Center of Arts in the city of Mexico.
- 2003: Release of his first work as a soloist “Gitano Cromatico” with Jeff Ballard, Josep Cucurella, Thijs van Leer, Ramon Valle, Benjamin Herman, Jaime Rodriguez, etc...A cd containing world music influences from the American continent mixed with flamenco. rhythms.
As an educator:
Teaches several “master-classes”, on a practice level he explains the techniques from the Electric Flamenco Guitar, and the Flamenco Guitar with material from Ramón Montoya, Sabicas, Niño Ricardo, etc... And more theoretic, explains history and evolution of Flamenco music, with multiple audio and video examples from all periods.
Master Classes and Residencies:
- Taller de músics, Barcelona, Spain.
- ESMUC Escola Superior de Musica de Cataluña, Barcelona, Spain.
- Rhythmic Music Conservatory (RMC), Copenhagen, Denmark.
- Groningen music conservatorium, Holland.
- Escola de Musica de Badalona, Barcelona.
- Seattle Drum School, USA.
- Reunion Island (Music Conservatory of St Deni), Madagascar, Africa.
- Escuela de Música Creativa, Madrid.
- Howard Roberts Music Institute, Seattle USA
- JazzSchool, Berkekey CA, USA.
As a producer and together with all the musical activity, Jaco owns an independent record label, “GCProducciones” and an Online music store "www.gcproducciones.com" where he is producing, playing and releasing, a series of cds all related to the flamenco world as:
Bernardo Parrilla, Carles Benavent, Diego de Morao, Adam del Monte, Guadiana, Erik Zobler, Moy Natenzon, Paquete, Tomatito, Los Losada, Los Rubio, Adam Rapa, Jorge Pardo, Jose “el Francés”, Manuel Parrilla, Victor Little, Luis Amador, Pablo Ruben Maldonado, Luki Losada, etc...
Among other Recordings:
- Estrella Morente."Calle del Aire" Virgin Records, España
- Triana Heredia. "Fragua Futura" Nuevos Medios
- La Barbería del Sur. "Negri y Paquete" Warner Music Spain
- José el Francés."Jugando al Amor" BMG Music Spain
- Gerardo Rosales. "El Venezolano" A-Records marketed by Challenge
- Jay Tee."Play da bass". Candy Dulfer, Alain Caron, David Garibaldi y Mike Stern... Hot Wire Records, EFA
Sound Tracks:
- 2004 Soundtrack “Making off” from “The Passion of the Christ”. Mel Gibson.
- 2004 “Zahira la que florece” Movie about the Madrid terrorist attempts on March 11th, final sequence. Canal+. - 2005 Short movie “Las Hormigas” by Tina Rodriguez. - 2009 Flamenco music for the inauguration gala of the Magic Box tennis venue and the opening of the 2009 Madrid Tennis Open, also presenting the Candidature of the city of Madrid for the 2016 world Olympics.
Press Quotes:
-“ A piece of work that time will grant the condition of philosophical stone”
La Vanguardia – 12/2006. Mingus B. Formentor.
- “ A record that distinguishes from the usual flamenco fusions, because it searches the inspiration on the antique flamenco “ palos ” and chantings.
El Periodico – 12/2006. Roger Roca.
- “ With a very special “ duende” in his new work, Jaco Abel makes the CD listening clean, passionate and technically impeccable”
Revista Alma 100 - 02/2007. Antonio Valentín.
- “ With his electric guitar, recovers ancient melodies and harmonies. A trip to the antic flamenco, under the great influence of the maestro Pepe Habichuela”.
- Acordes de Flamenco – Nº 4 2007.
Press:
Flamenco Electrico" of Jaco Abel in Madrid and Barcelona
Alma 100, Number 69/2006. A Escribano.
The past 26 of November was presented at the "Sala Cardamomo" in Madrid the record "Flamenco Electrico" from the electric guitarist Jaco Abel. In his performance in Madrid, Jaco was backed up by Melon Jimenez (flamenco guitar), Bandolero and Juan Carmona "tallarin" on percussion and Joni Cortes on vocals. The night counted with the presence in the audience of Pepe Habichuela, Josemi Carmona, Paquete, etc... that wrapped up this second work of the catalan musician. An original and innovating proposal that adapts the flamenco technics to the electric guitar, and that also was successfully presented on the fist of december in the well known room "Sala Luz de Gas" in Barcelona, inside the 38th edition of the International Barcelona Jazz Festival.
The Electric Flamenco of Jaco Abel
Diario de Cádiz. 13/nov/2006. F Lobaton.
We are in front of a project that is as curious, as it is original. Remembering the music instruments, there are many of them -string, metal or wood- who have been added in to flamenco and its expressive capacity, reserved for many years for the singing and guitar. It comes to my mind for example the piano- already with a large tradition- the flute, the violin and even the electric bass, but the more I think I can't really remember that some one wanted to do a flamenco record, on electric guitar and sounding on top of it, flamenco.
Behind this proposal we find a "Chromatic Gypsy" (that is the name of his first CD and his record company) Jaco Abel a musician with as rich as an intensive career. In his teens he studied violin, trumpet, music composition and harmony at several music conservatories, around 19 he decided to change his Spanish guitar for an electric, then he perfection his flamenco with Pepe Habichuela (Jaco´s CD is dedicated to him).
He has traveled around the world and played with many different musicians from diverse backgrounds, now a days he lives in Madrid and he has transported the flamenco techniques to his electric guitar. Playing with a pick, he has also all the effects from the flamenco music guitar like: strums, arzapua, fast picking or hits on the guitar top, and even the sound is not usual, he can really makes his guitar sounding flamenco.
The repertory is also flamenco, with soleare, bulerias, tangos, tanguillos, alegrias, and a surprising taranta played alone on his guitar and a fret-less one. The experience calls my attention and I want to know which instrument is he playing. It is not a Fender or any of the traditional brands, he plays guitars made in Holland by the Maestro Daniel Marcovich. The record also has an important group of collaborators that contribute to the flamenco sound, that Jaco looks for, like. Ramón "el Portugués", Ana Salazar, Jorge Pardo, Paquete, Bandolero, Josemi Carmona, Manuel, Juan y Bernardo Parrilla, and of corse his maestro Pepe Habichuela with whom he plays a Malambo, an Argentinean dance that sounds here with "aire de ida y vuelta".