Flamenco Dance & Music 

Santa Fe

Dancers & Musicians 


www.minafajardo.com

Chuscales (Music Composer & Guitarist)   MP3    YouTube

Jose Valle Fajardo, "Chuscales" (Guitarist) is internationally recognized as one of the new breed of flamenco guitarists who combine fluid technique and close study of contemporary musical forms to move the flamenco guitar into new territory. Chuscales was born in Antequera, Spain (Malaga), and raised in Granada in a family of professional musicians and dancers. He began performing at the age of six, and made his professional debut at fourteen in tablaos flamencos. He has accompanied such artists as La Singla, Mario Maya, La Chunga, Farruco, La Tati, El Guito, Joaquin Fajardo, La Polaca, Faico and Juan el Lebrijano, and toured in Canada, Europe, South America, Japan and United States. Chuscales is featured on the CD: his solo album "Guitarra Flamenca".

He played the guitar for prince and princes of Spain at Santa Fe in 2009. He appeared in films "Camelamos Nauerar" (1976), "Gypsy Heart" (1998), "Flamenco Passion & Soul" (1999), "Viaje Al Duende" (2009),"The Spanish Table" (2010) and "El Payo" (2010). www.chuscales.com



Mina Fajardo (Dancer/Choreographer/Teacher)  YouTube MP3

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Valle Fajardo, "Mina" has received extensive training in flamenco, Escuela bolero, jazz, Tap and

ballet. Mina has received flamenco training in Spain from El Guito, Carmera Greco, Ciro, La Tati, La China, Alejandro Granados, Yolanda Heredia, Eva La Yerbabuena, Andres Marin, Joaquin Ruiz and Keiko Issiki. She has taught in the Maria Benitez Institute for Spanish Arts, Eva Encinias Sandoval’s National Institute of Flamenco and for

the Spanish Institute of Dance in Houston, Texas, and Fazil Dance Studio in New York City.  Fajardo has performed in Japan, New York City, San Francisco, Boston, Denver, Houston, Maryland and Albuquerque and has made several appearances on television in Manhattan, New Mexico and Japan. In Santa Fe, She has performed at the Santa Fe Opera and in the Santa Fe Jazz and International Music Festival at the Lensic Theatre. She has performed with many artists including Elena Andujar, El Pripi, La Tibu, Carmen Rasarao, Chuscales, YiYi, Silverio Heredia, Tequila de Jerez, Omayra Amaya, Juan Siddi and Keiko Isshiki. She appeared in films "Flamenco Passion & Soul" 1999, "El Payo" 2010. www.minafajardo.com


Mercedes Molina (Singer)
Mercedes Molina started her professional singing  career at age fifteen  singing in her brothers salsa band  touring the east and west coast of the United States while she finished her music conservatory studies. She began her flamenco career in Los Angeles  studying with Chinin de Triana.  Realizing she had to go to Spain to study and live  the "Flamenco ways of LIfe" so in 1974
 she packed up her bags and moved to Sevilla returning after 4 years of intense study with master singers   Joselero de Moron, Fernanda de Utrera, La Pirrinaca , La Paquera , Ansonini del Puerto and Pedro Bacan.

Returning to the U.S. she formed her own company SANGRE BRAVA which she directed  for 35 years  out of San Francisco.  She continued to perform with her own company producing and directing. She was also a core member of the cuadro at the world renown tablao in San Francisco  THE OLD SPAGHETTI FACTORY for 25 years until it's closing in 1990. She toured the US for 10 years with the companies of Vicente Romero, Teo Morca ,Rosa Montoya, Luisa Triana, La Tania, Cruz Luna and was lead singer for 15 years for Teatro Flamenco of San Francisco.
Through the years Miss Molina continued to return to Spain for periods of study and work in local  tablaos.  In 1995 she co produced  , toured  and performed with Jose Galvan and Pastora Galvan the great maestro de baile from Sevilla to critical acclaim.

She has taught cante and baile throughout her professional career.

In 2005 she produced the cd "Son de Ayer"  CANO Juan Antonio Suarez and is presently developing new music and performances with Cano  and Chuscales.

Her love of flamenco and dedication to the Art form has  been the guiding force in her career and life. 

Alejandro Valle Fajardo (Cajon Player, Actor)
Alejandro Valle Fajardo is a son of Chuscales and Mina Fajardo. He was born in 1999. He played the cajon with his father Chuscales for prince & princes of Spain at Santa Fe in 2009. He worked with Camania Chuscales & Mina Fajardo, Juan Siddi Theatro Flamenco, Maria Benitez Next Generation and National Institute of Flamenco. He currently studies and works with his father Chuscales & Mina Fajardo in Santa Fe.

YiYi (Singer & Cajon)   YouTube

Francisco Javier Orozco, Yiyi, born in Barcelona of an Andalusian family, was introduced to Flamenco rhythms at the age of four. Yiyi was trained by his father; flamenco singer “Joselón de Jerez” in his Spanish peña named “Peña Fosforito.” Considered a “child prodigy” of percussion Yiyi began his professional career at the young age of twelve. By seventeen years of age he recorded his first CD and became more involved with singing, particularly for dancers, and left Spain for Germany on a long-term contract with the company “Flamenco Rubio”. Since then he has performed with top dance companies such as “Compañia Flamenca Alhama” throughout Europe and Japan and with internationally known María Benitez’s “Teatro Flamenco” on Broadway and throughout the U.S. He has performed with great artists such as Domingo Ortega, Jose Greco II, Alejandro Granados, Yolanda Heredia, El Toleo, El Pelao, María Serrano, La Tania, Antonio Granjero, and world-renowned guitarist Serranito, Chuscales. Critics worldwide have quoted Yiyi’s performance as “fiery,” “riveting,” and his percussion techniques executed with “machine-gun speed that possesses and casts a spell.” 

 






Vicente Griego (Singer)

Vicente “El Cartucho” Griego from Dixon/Embudo, New Mexico has devoted his life to the study of cante flamenco, the art of flamenco singing. In 1992, Vicente began touring the US, Canada and Latin America, with the Jose Greco II Flamenco Dance Company, where he was mentored by Caño Roto singer, Alfonso “Veneno” of Madrid, Spain, and remains a pupil of acclaimed guitarist, Chuscales. Vicente Griego has performed with Encinas' Yjastros National Flamenco Company for the last six years and continues to tour the US.  
 
Vicente Griego “El Cartucho” is striking for his deep, sonorous wails that seem to come from a cavern, someplace deep within his soul...

Anna Poplawska, Chicago Artist's News  

 



Ricardo Anglada (Guitarist)   MP3

a native of Northern New Mexico, began playing guitar at age 12. In 2003 Anglada won 1st place in the Festival Flamenco Internacional Concurso. Under the studies of first his father, Ricardo later studied with Jose "Chuscales" Valle and other flamenco artists such as Pedro Cortes, Santiago Aguilar, Anton Jimenez, Pedro Sierra and other local flamenco artists. He works with the flamenco program at the University of New Mexico and at the National Institute of Flamenco under the direction of Eva Encinias-Sandoval. Ricardo is currently the guitarist for the American Flamenco Repertory Company, “Yjastros” under the direction of Joaquin Encinias. Ricardo has worked with many flamenco artisits and groups throughout his career and works closely alongside his cousin Vicente Griego, flamenco singer. Ricardo has become one of the most sought after guitarists in the southwest. With his passion for flamenco song, dance, and music, Ricardo is a powerful performer and promises to be one of America's top flamenco artists yet to come. Ricardo says that without God none of his achievements would be possible.

Juan Siddi (Dancer/Choreographer/Teacher)

Recognized as a young, powerful and passionate flamenco dancer, Juan Siddi has toured internationally for the past 11 years with companies such as:  Compania Flamenca Alhama & Noches de Amor Productions,  Music Ensemble of Benares,  Rafael Cortes,  Maria Benitez “Teatro Flamenco”, La Tania and Theatre Flamenco San Francisco.  In 2007, he was the principal male dancer and co-choreographer for Maria Benitez’ production “Yesterday, Today & Tomorrow,” under the direction of Merrill Brockway (Director of PBS’ Dance in America).  That same year, Juan started and directed his own dance company - Juan Siddi Flamenco Theatre Company. The company has already spread their wings with tours throughout Germany, the US and the Middle East.  Juan has danced on stages around the world such as:  Jahrhundert Halle, Frankfurt;  Tranenpalast, Berlin; Metropol Theater, Vienna; Moods, Zurich; Ordway Center, St. Paul, MN; Fox Theater, Atlanta, GA; Joyce Theater, New York City, NY; Brava Theater and Cowell Theater, San Francisco, CA.  In International Festivals such as: Festival Flamenco in Krakow, Poland; Festival Musicale del Mediterraneo, Genoa, Italy; Bienal de Arte Flamenco, Sevilla, Spain; Carnavale di Venezia, San Marco Plaza, Venice, Italy and with his Flamenco Theatre Company at the 7th Annual Cultural Festival, Doha, Qatar and on the Arabian Television Network Al-Jazeera. The Company recently presented their 2008 summer season, run of 27 shows, in Santa Fe, NM with much success and more to come.     www.juansiddiflamenco.com



Veronica Medina (Singer)
Veronica Medina, a native of New Mexico, began to study flamenco cante in 1999.  Starting at the National Institute of Flamenco, she has continued to study with Spanish artists at every opportunity. Veronica has performed with various flamenco artists from 2001 to present in venues in the United States.  Influenced by traditional and modern singers, Veronica considers herself an aficionada and forever a student of the flamenco cante.  

Emmy Grimm  (Dancer)
Emmy Grimm is 19 has been dancing sense the age of four under Maria Benitez and began teaching at age 12.  She was accepted into Maria Benitez's Next Generation in 2001 and in Chuscales & Mina Fajardo company this year (2010). 

Eduardo Reyes (Guitarist & Flutist)


 

 

 


Kevin Romero (Guitarist)


 

 

  



Joaquin Gallegos (Guitarist)   MP3

Joaquin Gallegos is a native of Santa Fe, New Mexico. He has been playing guitar most of his life. He started out with electric guitar and studied jazz, rock, blues, funk, reggae, he is very versatile. He began going to Granada, Spain - his second home- to study the flamenco guitar and has studied with Manolo Sanlucar, J.A. Rodriguez, Manolo Franco, Emilio Maya and many others. He honed his chops living in the gypsy caves of sacromonte in Granada, accompanying dancers and singers and learning the art of gypsy flamenco. His style is in step with the modern school of flamenco guitar that was pioneered by Paco de Lucia but now includes inumerable artists. There is a notable jazz influence in his music and yet Joaquin has the air of a spanish guitarist who knows the roots of the music he plays. His authentic and at the same time refreshing stlye has been impressing audiences all over New Mexico and the southwest and in Spain. 

Jaime Martinez (Guitarist)   MySpace

Director/Accompanist of Taos' Encuentro Flamenco would be self-defined as a trumpet player that plays the guitar. Jaime is a graduate of the University of New Mexico where he was a student of Pedro Cuadra of Ubeda for 4 years. He has accompanied dancers such as Antonio Vargas, Pablo Rodarte, Teo Morca, Omayra Amaya and  Maria Benitez'  Next Generation.  





For Bookings in Santa Fe

Chuscales

505-310-1941

SantaFeFlamenco@comcast.net

 

Vicky & Chris Speer
absolute entertainment
www.musicsantafe.com

For Booking in  Santa Fe, NM ( Wedding, Corporate Events, Flamenco Show, Special Events & Gallery Openings)
ae@musicsantafe.com

505-986-5882

  


Mina Fajardo Dance Studio 

SantaFeFlamenco@comcast.net


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Biography

Santa Fe Flamenco Dance & Music

(Chuscales & Company)

Review : Flamenco Buzz  

by Mari Katsigianis

"Chuscales Live at MIT" 

presented by Flamenco @ MIT
Sunday, March 1, 2009 - 8:00 pm
Kresge Auditorium, Cambridge, MA
Featuring Chuscales - Guitar & Musical Director
Vicente "El Cartuche" Griego - Cante
Francisco Javier Orozco "El YiYi" - Cante & Percussion
Mina Fajardo "Mina" - Baile
Juan Siddi - Baile

Introduced by spokesperson : Miriam Makhlouf of Flamenco @ MIT 

Program

Act I (45 min.)

Granaina : Chuscales, YiYi, Vicente

Tona : Chuscales, Vicente

Seguiriya : Chuscales, YiYi, Vicente, Mina (Dance),  Juan (Dance)

Malagueña : Chuscales, Vicente

Tarantos : Mina (Dance), Chuscales, YiYi, Vicente, Juan (palmas)

Act II (45 min.)

Tientos/Tangos : Juan (Dance), Chuscales, YiYI, Vicente, Mina (palamas)

Solo de Guitarra : Chuscales, YiYI

Alegrias : Mina (Dance), Chuscales, YiYi,Vicente, Juan (palmas)

Solo de Cante : YiYi, Chuscales

Solea por Bulerias : Juan (Dance), Chuscales, YiYi, Vicente, Mina (palmas)

Ida/ Fin de Fiesta

...................Chuscales performed his Solo de Guitarra with the skill of a man born to flamenco (his family, prominent in flamenco from the caves of Sacromonte). The musical legacy continues, with his son, Luis Miguel Manzano, (who recently appeared with Guadalupe Torres presented by Suffolk University and Fundación Conservatorio Casa Patas here in Boston last November - see review below. Over twelve years ago, a somewhat younger Chuscales played with Omayra Amaya here in Boston at the Park Plaza in Omayra y Flamenco. He currently lives and works in Santa Fe, New Mexico plays in many companies (think, "Noche Flamenca").
Solea por Bulería contained the entire company in an enthusiastic display of all the elements of flamenco -
fire, grace, passion, sorrow, anger, and desire. This was the defining number of the show. The Fin de la
Fiesta finished the show and the audience whooped and hollared their approval. Another great show
presented by Flamenco @ MIT - and a testament to flamenco's diversity and beauty. One can only imagine
what's next for these dedicated devotees of flamenco.            Full story


Review : EL Mundo Boston

Flamenco: Chuscales Triunfa en MIT               
Friday, 27 March 2009
La Asociación Estudiantil, Flamenco @ MIT, presentó el primero de marzo del corriente a José Valle Fajardo, «Chuscales» interprete consumado de la tradición flamenca tanto en la guitarra como en el baile.
Texto y fotos por Dr. Ángel Alberto Amy Moreno

Nacido en Antequera, provincia de Granada, es hijo de una familia con una larga y profunda tradición en al arte del flamenco. En el seno de las familias gitanas del Sacro Monte aprendió desde muy pequeño como marcar el ritmo y el paso del flamenco intentando desenredar el misterio y la leyenda de este género musical de profundo corte gitano-musulmán tan arraigado en el Al- Andalus hispánico. Su entrenamiento profesional como bailaor le ha permitido comprender a cabalidad la sutileza y las complejidades de la música flamenca. Como bailaor y guitarrista, él puede anticipar el paso de los bailaores anticipando y, a su vez, acomodando el ritmo adecuado paso a paso de los bailaores en el tablao. Acompañando a «Chuscales» se dieron cita: Francisco Javier Orozco, «El Yiyi» en la percusión; Vicente «El Cartucho» Griego, cantaor; Mina Valle Fajardo, «Mina», bailaora; y Juan Siddi, Bailaor. Todos reconocidos profesionales del jaleo flamenco a nivel internacional.

Es interesante destacar que el arte del flamenco cuenta con un nutrido público en nuestro entorno. La primera presentación del grupo, Flamenco @ MIT se llevó a cabo el pasado mes de noviembre. En aquella ocasión el teatro se llenó a capacidad. En esta ocasión, donde se había anunciado la gran tormenta de nieve que azotó Boston esa misma noche, el teatro se volvió a llenarse a capacidad. Debemos destacar que fue una velada única, donde pudimos apreciar la calidad, la pasión, el refinamiento y el compromiso de esta compañía.

Tanto Mina como Siddi ofrecieron un magistral aporte y acoplo en sus cuadros flamencos, los cuales fueron coreografiados con gran acierto y soltura. El «Chuscales» nos brindó lo mejor de su arte. No cabe duda que es un guitarrista de primera, como lo es Paco de Lucía, con quien ha compartido escenarios además de una amistad personal y profesional. El rasgado de las primeras notas musicales nos transportaron inmediatamente a otra dimensión espiritual que sólo los bien nacidos en la tradición flamenca nos pueden transmitir. Fue una velada intensa, magistral llena de leyenda y misterio. Los amantes del flamenco se pueden comunicar con MIT a la siguiente dirección: flamenco@mit.edu o a su página web: web.mit.edu/flamenco. La persona a contactar es Miriam.

 

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