VAL RAMOS FLAMENCO ENSEMBLE
Welcome to our new official website!
Flamenco is a sophisticated, colorful, and complex musical and dance culture with roots in the southern part of Spain known as Andalusia. A dynamic and creative force, Flamenco has evolved over the years to integrate a variety of new musical and dance elements, influences, and instrumentation. It has also spread throughout the world as singers, dancers, and guitarists from Spain and all corners of the globe have come to embrace, adapt, and transform its ancient traditions and forms.
The Val Ramos Flamenco Ensemble lives up to the finest traditions of Flamenco with repertoire and performances that capture the roots of this musical culture and yet add modernity and freshness in keeping with the times and dynamic nature of this unique cultural expression. The ensemble performs as both an instrumental group as well as in conjunction with traditional “cuadro Flamenco” artists that include singers, dancers, guitarists, and cajoneros. Traditional dance costumes and Flamenco “cante” (song) textures meet modern harmonies and instrumentation resulting in a most enjoyable musical and dance experience.
The Val Ramos Flamenco Ensemble has been hailed as “the best of classical Flamenco brought to modern standards” (Rootsworld.com) and “a hidden treasure of Flamenco in the Americas….superb musicianship” (Flamenco Connection). This group performs in a variety of concert formats including solo and duet guitar recitals; instrumental trio and quartet with guitars, percussion, and singer; full instrumental ensemble featuring guitars, flute, bass, violin, and percussion (sometimes also with a singer); and traditional “cuadro Flamenco” featuring a singer, guitarists, dancers, and a percussionist.
Connecticut and New England presenters (arts presenters, museums, libraries, schools, cultural organizations, and festivals) that want to book the Val Ramos Flamenco Ensemble can apply to the Connecticut Commission on Culture and Tourism and the New England Foundation for the Arts (NEFA) for up to 50% of the artistic fee. The next application deadline for NEFA State Touring grants is JUNE 3, 2013 (for programs starting September 2, 2013). Go to the following links for more information and application deadlines:
Connecticut Commission on Culture and Tourism’s Arts Catalyze Placemaking Grants
New England Foundation for the Arts (NEFA) Grants for New England Presenters
New England Foundation for the Arts (NEFA) Touring Roster at Matchbook.org
“Por mi camino” (Rumba Flamenca) (c) Valeriano Ramos Jr.
