Jools & Dave knew each other from school, though diverging musical tastes and life changes kept them away from the same stage for many years - a chance attendance at one of Dave & Tony's flamenco recitals and an off the cuff suggestion by Jools led to the three musicians starting an experimental venture to see just what would happen when you put together a flamenco guitarist with a rock guitarist recently converted to violin and added a date for a showcase in the not-too-distant future.
Dave had played flamenco to the point where he could just breathe on his guitar to cause a stir - his background includes recitals at the South Bank's Purcell Room; acclaimations from flamenco bigwig Felix Grande; and inclusions in a recent flamenco biography "Flamenco Legend" by Marcos.
Jools was a complete newcomer to flamenco, accepting the challenge to understand and to then reinterpret this complex traditional form in the light of his own eclectic experience, which includes genres as diverse as soul; funk; dance; classical; rock; folk; jazz; improvisation; indie; pop; blues & metal.
Tony has spent many years working alongside Dave, in his accompaniment of various talented Flamenco dancers. His insight into the forms of flamenco allows him to provide an indispensible rhythmic foundation for every performance.
If it had all fallen on its face at the start, there wouldn't have been too many tears shed - within a very short time, however, the music began to take on a life and direction of its own and, following a couple of well-received show case gigs the three musicians discovered they wouldn't have been able to turn back had they wanted to.
In April 2008 the band enlisted Alan Dilan to provide additional percussion. Having studied guitar and flamenco at Paco Peña's Conservatory in Rotterdam, Alan is proving to be an unique and indispensible addition to the trio.
The Street Shepherd band is currently developing a collaboration with established flamenco dancer Ana Garcia and has been given a date to perform at Cox's Yard, Stratford, on 5th October. Tickets for this event are strictly limited and can be purchased from the venue website. Festival performance dates will be forthcoming throughout the year. If you would like to talk to us regarding booking the band please write to us at paloshep@aol.com
Hi Dave, Thank you for the generous appreciation for my work. You have a great sound too and it gave me great joy to hear your music. In fact for my next project I am keen on collaborating Flamenco and Indian folk sensibilities! All the best in all your endeavors! Cheers! Nishith
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Backline Photography is the collective name for the photography of Russ Brockel. You can see a selection of his work here on Myspace. You can view more of his work & find info about what he's doing at www. backlinephotography. com
Thank you again for your virtual friendship, it is much appreciated and keep up the great work!
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Hi guys. Really good to meet you last night. Thought you were outstanding - could have played 2x as long as you did. Best bit - the discipline of clapping in time for such a long period - oh and the guitar/drum thing/fiddle was awesome too.
Hi SSB – Christ you’re good! Dave, am I right in thinking this obsession with feet says more about the observer than the observed? I vote for flamenco training next time... Waddya think..?
Good to see you here again last night Dave, was v temted to hand you my guitar & ask you to play a cheeky one or two But it was busy as ever hey so no complaints, Carter Chapman Band were Wow hey !!. Good to chat about flamenco too, look forward to more of that.
All the best & see you Thurs, try bring a few if you can.
Hi Dave, just to let you know we have had 129 profile hits in less than a week on this site & 68 hits on the Foro flamenco. Wanted to ask you how to activate links on the myspace. I dont know how & I see you have activated links to Ana & Jools in your txt. Can you let me know how its done. Check out the general section at the top of the page on www. foroflamenco. com too its also a good place for posting up your gigs.
Was only thinking of you the other day. Glad you are busy and active! I'm hoping to come to the Olga Pericet workshop in May at DanceXchange, so maybe will get a chance to see you?
thank you! The two songs i performed were as part of a growing (and new!) solo set. I only "cameo" with the lads if you like! hehe. You guys were fantastic - reminded me a little of rodrigo y gabriela :) when are you next at cox's? or in the general area? xx
