Flamenco Guitarist Rafael
Composer / Teacher / Performer
The Musician
Rafael is a performer with over 30 years experience. From the beginning of his career in Spain accompanying dancers and singers he then toured with innovating flamenco group Salpicao for years. Non stop touring for years in Spain, Hungary, France, UK, Italy, Ireland, Germany, Thailand, Singapore, Cyprus...Rafael has a track record of festivals, concert halls and venues all over the world.
Examples of what Rafael can offer you:
- flamenco guitar concert live or online
- flamenco composition, recordings, sessions
- musical direction for shows (theatres, public events)
- collaborations with other professional artistes
- guitar technique workshops for all guitarists, all genres
- lecture: a geographical history of flamenco
- rhythm classes for dancers
- flamenco guitar lessons from beginner to advanced
- 'Rafael and friends' including dancers, singers and percussion
Rafael also develops and produces flamenco shows, sourcing flamenco artistes for your venue and events. Please ask for details.
Teaching and quotes
Rafael has taught at many educational establishments including the Faculty of Music, Oxford University, Trinity College London, Birmingham Conservatoire, Bath International Guitar Festival amongst others.
Rose Augustine (Augustine Strings), '...in all the years I have been going to flamenco workshops, this is the first time I have really learnt something, thank you!'
Ivor Mairantz (guitarist and composer), 'I have seen many famous guitarists in my life and you should be earning a lot more than them'
El Pais (newspaper, Spain) 'Rafael plays with the soul of a gypsy'
Peter H. 'Rafael is a superb and patient guitar tutor from whom I have developed my own playing style and be inspired by flamenco and Spanish culture'.
An inspiration and credits
A few examples of Rafael's work appear in the best selling “Guitar” book by Richard Chapman published by Dorling Kindersley and The New Complete Guitarist.
Rafael was the inspiration for the book ‘Duende’ by Jason Webster who dedicated his acclaimed best seller to Rafael ‘For Rafa, and the duende moments with him that inspired me’. The book is loosely based on some of Rafael’s life and stories living with gypsies which was subsequently revealed in the press.
In appreciation, Amalio Burguet luthier built a signatory model ‘Rafael’ flamenco guitar dedicated to the guitarist for him to perform his concerts and recordings.
He has also been credited with ‘thanks’ on the Radiohead album In Rainbows.
He has also had several personal thesis credits for doctorates at Oxford University.
Rafael continues to inspire students of all ages to learn flamenco guitar.
