I saw my first live flamenco show in Madrid, Spain about 14 years ago in a small tavern called Casa Patas tucked away on a narrow side street in the old section of town. It changed my life because I became aware of duende. Duende is when, during a performance, the Spirit or Life force enters the room and you get chills and your hair stands on end. It is hard to describe unless you have felt it… but once you do you never forget it. Good flamenco traditionally strives for this Spiritual connection and authenticity. Other music contains elements of it as well, especially jazz and the blues.

Paco de Lucia died on February 26th this year. A sad loss for the flamenco world as he was one of the all time greats. He along with Vicente Amigo and others are proponents of New Flamenco, a modernization with the influence of jazz. I find this music very inspiring and I will paint while listening to it. It frees my mind in some way and makes duende accessible to my art.

Give it a listen and pay your respects to Paco…Entre dos Aguas