The IGF (International Guitar Foundation) continues its fine work this autumn with the second London Guitar Festival of the year – this time at the excellent Kings Place, in Kings Cross.
Featuring four days of performances and workshops from leading classical, jazz and folk guitarists, the flamenco serving is presented in the shape of Javier Conde, making just his second UK appearance after playing WOMAD this summer, and dubbed as ‘the most exciting young Flamenco guitarist to emerge from Spain in decennia’.
Aged just 21, Javier started playing the guitar when he was 4 years old under the supervision of his father Jose Antonio Conde, a professional guitarist well respected within the flamenco world, and a disciple of the master Andrés Batista. Since then, he has won countless guitar competitions and already appeared on nearly a dozen recordings.
Clearly a humble soul, his website offers a refreshing change to artists intent on blowing their own trumpet …
My professional career is not particularly long. I am not old enough for that. However, I would like to convey the intensity I have felt with all the experiences I have lived so far.Beside the personal satisfaction that gives you to overcome the study of the instrument, the guitar, I have also had the opportunity to see that my work was recognized in some of the competitions I have attended and, though just for a second, I have had the privilege to be close to some of the great masters I have always admired in my solitude while I was studying.If there is something I have understood from the very beginning is that there is much more things to learn that those you already know.Therefore, I would like you to look at this webpage not as if I were a recognized artist who needs a way of communication with his fans, but as the webpage of a young guitarist who looks for a place in this difficult world of the flamenco guitar. And why not? A webpage for people to know me and even to contract me.
Conde performs in the wonderful acoustic space at Kings Place on Saturday 30th October, beginning at 7.45pm. Tickets range from £29.50 to £9.50. There is also a masterclass earlier that day for intermediate and advanced players.
Read more on him at Flamenco-World.
Other festival performances feature the excellent jazz player Mike Outram, Grammy award-winner David Russell, Lutenist Nigel North and ‘acoustic sensation’ Eric Mongrain, fresh from an appearance on Later with Jools Holland.
Check out the IGF website and the Kings Place website for full info on the festival, tickets and workshops.
