Alfonso Cid, singer and flautist, a native of Andalusia, presents a performance that encapsulates the many elements of Flamenco tradition. He offers his audience traditional cante flamenco using his own lyrics, the poetry of Miguel Hernandez and his translations of Sephardic poetry of the 11th century.

With guitarist Arturo Martinez, Alfonso explores the new wave of flamenco, fusing the traditional styles with jazz riffs, Cuban and Arabic flavors. Adding the talents of guitarist Gary Raheb and bassist/percussionist Sean Kupitz and percussionist Peter Basil, Alfonso creates a diverse and refreshing program of an art form that is still rapidly evolving from its deep roots.

Interspersed throughout the evening will be featured the dancing of Maya De Silva and Mieko Seto, two of New Yorks' most accomplished Flamenco dancers, adding the dynamic rhythyms of zapateado (footwork) to the music.

Born and raised in Seville, the heartland of Flamenco music. Alfonso absorbed the Flamenco ambiance from an early age. As a child, his mother would often sing to him the traditional styles from Triana, a gypsy enclave of Seville, where she was born. Alfonso enrolled at the Seville Conservatory in 1990 to study flute and music theory. For the following 5 years he received a classical training. His interest in Flamenco gave him the incentive to join one of the most significant Flamenco clubs in Andalusia; the Pe*a Flamenca Torres-Macarena 1987. He continued this affiliation until he left Seville in 1996.

Alfonso is a founding member of Al Ba*o Maria, the resident group of Pe*a Flamenca Torres Macarena in Sevilla. Since his arrival in the United States he has worked for numerous Flamenco Companies playing at many theatres in New York, as well as appearances in Philadelphia and Toronto. In July of 2002 he made a guest appearance with the BBC Symphony Orchestra and Chorus as part of the "Proms Festival" at the Royal Albert Hall in London, England

Featuring:

Alfonso Cid, Vocals and Flute -- Arturo Martinez-- Guitar
Gary Raheb -- Cuban Cuatro, Electric Guitar -- Sean Kupitz --Bass
Peter Basil -- Percussion -- Maya De Silva -- Dancer and Palmas
Mieko Seto -- Dancer and Palmas

The exact date of this concert is not known, but it occurred in the marked year around this time.