Album Notes

This CD features original solo guitar and ensemble compositions of Flamenco guitar-based music with fusion elements and instrumentation including guitars, bass, flute, violin, and percussion. This is the first release featuring the Val Ramos Flamenco Ensemble.

The Val Ramos Flamenco Ensemble was formed in 1994 as an innovative musical group that combines traditional flamenco forms with modern instrumentation and fusion elements in an original and colorful repertoire. Under the musical direction of flamenco guitarist Val Ramos, and including the talents of José R. Ramos (flamenco guitar), José de Santos (singer), Kris Jensen (flute), Carlos Hernández-Chávez (bass), José Berríos (percussion), Matt Moadel (cajón), and Ashley Jones (violin), the ensemble brings together a pool of outstanding musicians with expertise in various musical forms including flamenco, jazz, classical, and Latin music. Considered to be one of the premier Flamenco fusion bands in the United States, the ensemble has performed at major international music festivals in Spain and the United States. Its music is featured in the albums BORICUAS FLAMENCOS and POR MI CAMINO, Selections from these albums are featured in the Connecticut Public Television documentary PUERTO RICAN PASSAGES (1996) and the WNET-Thirteen (PBS) documentary NUYORICANS (2002). In May 1999, the ensemble performed at an event honoring the Internationally-renowned Latin "salsa" singer, the late-Celia Cruz. In June 2002, the ensemble performed with internationally- renowned Puerto Rican pop singer Danny Rivera at the Nuyorican Poets' Café in New York City. The group has been described as "a hidden treasure of the Flamenco world in the Americas. Superb musicianship..." (Flamenco Connection) and as "the best of classical Flamenco brought to modern standards" (Rootsworld.com). The group has toured in the U.S., Spain, and Puerto Rico.