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Life and times of "el tanguero ingles"
2007 was a year of much change in the life of the tanguero, now relocated in the Isla Blanca, a charming island off the south coast of England. Guitar activities have been somewhat on a back burner this year, but will be to the fore again in 2008.
A trip to Cuba in May 2007 was a wonderful opportunity to become better acquainted with the rich musical tradition of this country. It was an absolute delight to be able to meet with maestro Jose 'Ñico' Rojas, whose music I have greatly admired for many years. My sincere thanks to him and his family for their kind hospitality.
A meeting was also possible with Eduardo Martin, a terrific guitarist and composer and thanks to him as well for the warm welcome to his home. The rhythms of the Cuban music are very difficult, it will take considerable practice to be able to play some of this music with a really good feeling for the style!
A trip to Cuba in May 2007 was a wonderful opportunity to become better acquainted with the rich musical tradition of this country. It was an absolute delight to be able to meet with maestro Jose 'Ñico' Rojas, whose music I have greatly admired for many years. My sincere thanks to him and his family for their kind hospitality.
A meeting was also possible with Eduardo Martin, a terrific guitarist and composer and thanks to him as well for the warm welcome to his home. The rhythms of the Cuban music are very difficult, it will take considerable practice to be able to play some of this music with a really good feeling for the style!
David has been specialising in Latin American guitar music for
many years. His early studies in guitar were with his father, a keen amateur guitarist. Later studies were with Ivan Scott and Anthony Mcmahon.
In 1982 he entered the Royal College of Music, studying classical
guitar with Charles Ramirez and Patrick Bashford. In 1986 he won the Jack Morrison guitar prize, and was awarded a bursary to enable him to stay at the RCM for a postgraduate year.
During his time at college, he had masterclasses at Dartington Summer School with Carlos Bonnell,and several group lessons with
John Williams. He also recalls with pleasure that the college afforded him the rare opportunity of a meeting with the legendary maestro Andres Segovia.
David now enjoys a varied career as a performer, teacher and
researcher in the area of Latin American music. In 1997 he made his international debut in Buenos Aires, where he was invited to give a concert at the Conservatorio Manuel de Falla. He played before a distinguished audience including maestros Cacho Tirao, Juan Falu
and Maria Isabel Siewers.
He is a regular visitor to Argentina, where he has given many
concerts and made several appearances on television and radio.
In 1998 he was invited to visit Venezuela, where he joined his
friends Hugo Zuleta and Pedro Vasquez for a concert of Latin-
American music at the Teresa Carreño in Caracas.
Recitals in the UK have included a charity concert for the people
of Venezuela following the devastation of the floods there. Other
charity work has included a concert at St James Picadilly, for the 'Children of Los Andes', shared with the multi-talented Ricardo Curbelo, and with fellow guitarist Adrian Azuelo.
many years. His early studies in guitar were with his father, a keen amateur guitarist. Later studies were with Ivan Scott and Anthony Mcmahon.
In 1982 he entered the Royal College of Music, studying classical
guitar with Charles Ramirez and Patrick Bashford. In 1986 he won the Jack Morrison guitar prize, and was awarded a bursary to enable him to stay at the RCM for a postgraduate year.
During his time at college, he had masterclasses at Dartington Summer School with Carlos Bonnell,and several group lessons with
John Williams. He also recalls with pleasure that the college afforded him the rare opportunity of a meeting with the legendary maestro Andres Segovia.
David now enjoys a varied career as a performer, teacher and
researcher in the area of Latin American music. In 1997 he made his international debut in Buenos Aires, where he was invited to give a concert at the Conservatorio Manuel de Falla. He played before a distinguished audience including maestros Cacho Tirao, Juan Falu
and Maria Isabel Siewers.
He is a regular visitor to Argentina, where he has given many
concerts and made several appearances on television and radio.
In 1998 he was invited to visit Venezuela, where he joined his
friends Hugo Zuleta and Pedro Vasquez for a concert of Latin-
American music at the Teresa Carreño in Caracas.
Recitals in the UK have included a charity concert for the people
of Venezuela following the devastation of the floods there. Other
charity work has included a concert at St James Picadilly, for the 'Children of Los Andes', shared with the multi-talented Ricardo Curbelo, and with fellow guitarist Adrian Azuelo.
Times past
Times present
It was during this visit to Cuba that the news was announced that Cacho Tirao had died. It was terrible news. Although he had been suffering from the effects of stroke for some time, his health had appeared stable, and during my visit to Argentina in 2006 he had finished recording his new CD 'Renacer', and had been giving some concerts with his new group. Cacho had become a very good friend and his music was a great inspiration. I will miss him very much. We can only hope that his legacy will be properly realized and that the guitar world will be enriched with the wealth of his compositions and arrangements.
Friendly criticism
Sound samples
Contact details and links
Teaching and classes
West Dean 2006
Loss of a great maestro and friend