Alberto de Almar
Acoustic & Electric Guitar
Flamenco, Latin/Jazz Fusion, Classical Rock, Contemporary Pop/R&B & Improvisation
BOOKING INFO:
To book Alberto de Almar for gigs, recording session work, tour support, film, TV & commerical scores, workshops, etc., please contact Alberto at: Flamenco World Music
Phone: 310-302-1909 or you can email Alberto at: Booking
Alberto.
Be sure to put Booking Alberto in the subject header of your email so we don't mistake it for spam. For email and phone info, please include your name, phone number, email address and best time to reach you and relevant information about the booking.
Alberto de Almar's CD's are now available
from cdbaby.com
Click on a CD title link or cover art to
review & purchase
Alberto Antonio de Almar's journey into the world of Flamenco and World music and culture had its auspicious beginning in Miami, Florida. His Aunt Hañia Rodriquez, who had recently returned from visiting from Spain, gave Alberto's brother a guitar which soon found its way into Alberto's precocious eleven year old hands. His prodigious talent was immediately evident. From that moment onward, Alberto and the guitar were inseparable. To imagine Alberto without a guitar in his hands would be to imagine the universe without a sun.
After mastering rock, jazz and classical guitar styles, Alberto wrote and performed with various groups at clubs, concerts and festivals opening for such acts as The Allman Bros., The Grateful Dead, Edgar & Johnny Winter, Sly and The Family Stone, The Blues Image, NRBQ and others. In addition to performing, Alberto taught classical and jazz guitar and music theory at Dade Community College and at the University of Florida while obtaining a degree in pharmacology.
Alberto's reputation as a young, versatile and innovative guitarist caught the attention of legendary music genius, Frank Zappa, who invited Alberto to Los Angeles where he worked with recording artists as diverse as Terry Bozzio, Don Preston, Freddie Hubbard, Jaco Pastorius, Minnie Ripperton and several other prominent musicians on various recordings. During his stay in Los Angeles, Alberto was introduced to the emotionally charged world of Flamenco music by his cousin, Jorge Strunz of Strunz and Farah. While he continued to work in the eclectic Los Angeles rock scene, Alberto diligently pursued his passion for Flamenco and created his own unique style integrating contemporary characteristics of rock and jazz with traditional flamenco.
Fueled by his passion for Flamenco, Alberto traveled to Spain where he was introduced to Paco de Lucía, considered to be the best contemporary Flamenco guitarist in the world. Alberto stayed in Spain and worked with Paco transcribing and copyrighting Paco's original compositions including the guitar arrangements on Chick Corea's album "Touchstone." Under Paco's tutelage, Alberto's guitar talents flourished as did his reputation as a prolific transcriber and Alberto found himself transcribing for other renowned Flamenco artists such as guitarists Pepe de Lucía and Enrique de Melchor and vocalist Camarón de la Isla.
At the invitation of guitar legend Manolo Sanlúcar, Alberto spent several years touring and performing throughout Spain during which he performed on three occasions for the King and Queen of Spain. He recorded two albums with Manolo, "Al Viento" and "Ven Y Sigeme," which was commissioned by the Spanish government as a national dedication to Pope John Paul II. Alberto and Manolo were also featured in the acclaimed "La Guitarra" television series documenting the lives of Spain's Flamenco guitar legends.
In addition to his work with Manolo, Alberto recorded with Enrique de Melchor. He toured with Flamenco singer Enrique Morente and guitarist Paco Cortés performing "El Mito De Edipo Rey", a Flamenco version of Oedipus Rex which gained national attention for its unorthodox performances in several of Spain's famous Roman ruins. He also performed with the orchestra in the national production of "Evita" in Madrid.
Alberto returned to the United States where he continued performing, recording and touring as a both a solo artist and with various groups. He taught a series of Flamenco guitar workshops at the acclaimed Guitar Institute of Technology/MIT to which he invited some of the best contemporary Flamenco guitar talent from Spain: Pepe Habichuela, Rafael Riqueni, Javier Ruibal, José Miguel Carmona and Agustín Carbonell "Bola."
To further promote Flamenco music and culture, Alberto formed the Flamenco Music Society and the Flamenco World Music and Dance Academy. He both produced and performed in several Flamenco music and dance concerts throughout Southern California. These performances featured the talents of acclaimed Flamenco and world music artists such as renowned Flamenco guitarists Rafael Riqueni and Javier Ruibal, Manoocher Sadeghi (master santur player), keyboardist Don Preston (Mothers of Invention), classical tabla virtuoso Zakir Hussain and popular world music duo, Strunz and Farah.
Alberto's vast repertoire also encompasses composing and performing on the soundtracks for several feature films, television shows and commercials. He composed the film score for the Sidney Sheldon mini-series "The Sands Of Time." Alberto has also performed his original music on screen in such notable films as the Spike Lee production "Love and Basketball."
He has performed at various events, benefits and private engagements such as The Spirit Awards (Independent Film Project), the U.S. Olympic Committee, the Gypsy Kings (at their post concert parties) and an intimate concert with Rafael Riqueni for President Ronald Reagan and First Lady Nancy Reagan.
Alberto's unique Flamenco fusion flavor has graced the live peformances, music videos and recordings of numerous recording artists including Enrique Iglesias, Julio Iglesias, Charo, Doug Cameron (with whom he co-wrote the hauntingly beautiful "La Violeta"), the world music group Furia (with Javier Ruibal and Zakir Hussain), Prince Diabate (master kora musician and vocalist from Guinea), Cheb Khaleb (renowned Algerian musician/singer) the cutting edge contemporary flamenco rock band, Los Crucificados (with Randy Castillo, Carmine Rojas and Django Porter), Jasmine Trias (American Idol Finalist) and the incredibly talented Alicia Keys.
In 2003, Alberto began recording and touring with renowed contemporary jazz pianist, Keiko Matsui in venues around the world with band members Eric Baines (bass), Steve Reid (percussion), Chad Wright (drums) and Michael Ghegan saxophone).
Alberto recently finished three weeks of solo performances on Norwegian Cruise Lines Sun Ship Caribbean Cruise and has some exciting projects lined up. When he's not on the road, he can be seen playing around various venues in Southern, California as a solo performer and with other recording artists. He also continues to work on several other projects, including upcoming CD releases.
Alberto has released three CD's: The spirited FURIA, the rock/metal infused BENT MARBLE and the ethereal ALMA PURA on which he collaborated with international music producer and composer, Claudio Collino. Alberto's music is available at cdbaby.com.
For booking information, please contact: Flamenco World Music at 310-302-1909.
SNOCAP CLARIFICATION: Update April 24, 2007
I recently added the SnoCap store above for those of you who may want to purchase downloads directly from this page.
However, since my SnoCap deal is through a digital distribution deal I have with CDbaby, there's been a few cockups.
Apparently, the SnoCap device doesn't distinguish between the titles of the CD's under the "artist's name" -- rather, it seems they list all songs released by the artist together so there's no way to tell which CD each song came from.
To sort this out, below you'll find a list of the songs under my name, Alberto de Almar, under their respective CD release titles along with the length of the songs.
Another issue occured in the last couple of days when the SnoCap download device disappeared, then reappeared with a different "title" and configuration of songs.
When the SnoCap download device first appeared on here, it was under the name KYTARANA which is the name of the "band/group" Caludio Collino and I came up with for the release of our collaborative CD, "ALMA PURA." After the SnoCap download device did it's disappearing and reappearing act, it has now been changed to my name. However, it apparently has dropped all the songs from "ALMA PURA."
I've contacted SnoCap to hopefully have this issue resolved
If you'd like to purchase "ALMA PURA" it is available at CDBaby.com and downloads are available at iTunes, Rhapsody, Napster, eMusic and several other download services, as are all the songs from both my CD releases, the mostly acoustic Flamenco CD "FURIA" and my Electric Metal Flamenco CD "BENT MARBLE."
1 Lord, A Malt, A Beer!
(5:03) 2 La Violeta
(5:01) 3 Cello Song
(2:12) 4 Ode to Heidi
(3:06) 5 A Bare Dame
Troll (9:10) 6 The Iguana Song
(5:04) 7 Angeles Perdidos
(:57) 8 Lover's Lament
(1:49) 9 Adios
(:20) 10 Persia
(5:42) 11 La Mirada
(7:11) 12 Persia 2
(5:19) 13 Persia Rhumba
(4:04) 14 Lover's Lament
Version 2 (2:07)
1 Dance of thed Psychotropic
Ferns (5:54) 2 Bachamole
(10:20) 3 Song For Kika
(4:59) 4 Hey Now Mama
(5:31) 5 Don't Know Why
(6:08) 6 Andalucia
(5:09) 7 Adagio in Gm
(9:05) 8 Eat Your Lotus
Seeds (2:17) 9 Furia (6:40)
Again, all three CD's are available from CDBaby and individual songs can also be downloaded from other download services, some of which I've provided links to on the left side of this page.
Thank you for buying my music and thank you for your many kind and supportive comments!
There is currently a search for two types of bands for record label consideration.
*** Note: PLEASE IDENTIFY IF YOU ARE IN GROUP 1 OR 2 IN THE SUBJECT LINE OF YOUR RESPONSE. Emails are being reviewed by different representatives.
1. A Pop/Rock/Commercial band with female lead. Band must consist of 2 guitars (Prefer both guitar players to be of lead caliber. However, one lead and one rhythm is acceptable), keyboard/piano, bass, and drums. Lead vocal, followed by backing vocals, in that order, is a plus as it relates to other members of the group. Average age of the band cannot exceed 28 years of age.
* Group must have an outstanding lead vocalist. ** Musicianship throughout the entire band must be very strong. *** Group cannot currently be under any contract of any type that is related to the music industry.
2. A Modern Rock band with male lead. Must be a complete band but there are no prerequisites as it relates to the make up of the band. Average age of the band cannot exceed 23 years of age.
* Group must have an outstanding lead vocalist. ** Musicianship throughout the entire band must be very strong. *** Group cannot currently be under any contract of any type that is related to the music industry.
XXX - If you meet the minimum qualifications as described above. Email a link for your MySpace Page and if applicable, a link for your website to: recordingartistsearch@gmail.com
Only send one email with your links. Due to the volume of responses normally received for these types of opportunities. After review of your material, you will only be contacted if there is an interest in attending one of your shows by a label representative. As such please to not send any follow up emails regarding selections. If you were not contacted back, there was not an interest.
Thank You.
PS: Before You Enter Any MySpace Contests You Might Want To Also Review The Website At: www.st
Hey Alberto: Good to see your doing well, and making great World Class Guitar music. Good luck on your future Projects, and I hope to record some more trax with you again. James Stinson Producer
Bitty clouds and tiny rainbows hiding behind every tree So much love inside, drunk and ready to do anything! I know everything you’re doing and I agree Slithering skin… all over each other Smooth, sweet, out of control… Bring me in, take me, make me do it, set me free!
Ola Alberto! All I can say is QUALITY my friend QUALITY! You have it going on. Passion! Your playing makes things come alive! Best wishes to you always!
Flurries settle softly in the pine Quietly drenched in the drizzle of glassy, melty snow A ginger bread house, everything to be eaten Gum drops, chewies, taffy licks Nestling by the fire, every kiss crackle pops Fingers over sugar dots… ginger beer fountains blow Strawberry cotton candy patch… Dive in, eat your way through Rubbbing it for heat, the angels sing! Toasty, creamy love everywhere
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