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Biographies
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Rock It Saturday Social Media Ad (Donovan)
Donovan Leitch is widely regarded as one of the most influential songwriters and recording artists working today. At his induction into the R&R Hall of Fame in 2012, it was stated, “Donovan single-handedly initiated the Psychedelic Revolution with Sunshine Superman.”
This masterwork album, he created late in 1965 at 19 years of age, one year before his friends, The Beatles, influencing their album Sgt. Pepper’s Lonely Hearts Club Band, and leading the way for many other artists.
It is now history that Donovan became the tutor of The Beatles on the famous trip to India, where he taught John, Paul, and George the finger style guitar and many of his unique chord patterns, that would create many of the best songs and styles of The White Album.
Most notable: Dear Prudence, Julia (which John asked Donovan to help him write), Blackbird, While My Guitar Gently Weeps, and many others on The White Album.
Donovan encouraged and nurtured George Harrison’s songwriting. George in The Beatles Anthology said,
“Donovan is all over The White Album.”
And yet, Donovan is much more than the creator of the first Psychedelic Album; Sunshine Superman announced Flower Power for the first time and presented to the world the first World Music fusions of Folk, Classical, Jazz, Indian, Celtic, Arabic, and Caribbean. At the age of 16, Donovan set his artist vision: to return Poetry to Popular Culture, and he has done so on a worldwide scale. He was four years younger than The Beatles, Dylan, and The Rolling Stones when he achieved all this.
As if this is not enough to say, he is chiefly responsible for introducing meditation and Eastern philosophy into modern lifestyle and songwriting.
As highly influential and successful as the Sunshine Superman album was, Donovan had already scored four Top Twenty singles, EPs, and two albums in his so-called ‘Folk Period’ of early 1965. Donovan received the prestigious Ivor Novello Award for his very first song, Catch The Wind, at 18 years old.
In his first work in 1965, the seeds of what was to come were sown. This was evident on his Classical – Jazz fusion track on his ‘Fairytale’ album of that year, ‘Sunny Goodge Street’. The lyric was first to describe the coming Bohemian invasion of popular culture, the return of Celtic philosophy and meditation as the door to The Source.
Donovan was oddly compared to Bob Dylan when it was Woody Guthrie that both Donovan and Dylan emulated at the time. The true similarity between them is that they are poets of the highest order.
It cannot be overstated that Donovan has displayed the widest variety of songwriting skill, surpassing any songwriter one can name today. The sheer range of his accomplishments is Bardic, empowering our human journey through all stages of life and, most importantly, he displays a poet’s true vocation, reuniting us with The Source.
Donovan, in his songs of innocence, has been compared to Blake ,his metaphysical songs to Donne and Herbert, his Celtic songs to Yeats, his children’s songs to Stevenson, his Nonesense songs to Carroll and Lear, his Yoga songs to the Vedic Hymns, his Jazz Classical compositions to Ellington and Lewis, his poetic public appeal to Auden. He is also attributed with writing the first ‘Green Songs’ highlighting the threat to the ecosystem of our planet Earth.
It is clear there is no such composer-artist like Donovan.
And Donovan is also known for pioneering new production recording techniques in the studio, influencing many.
Donovan is also the recipient of a Doctor of Letters from Hertfordshire University, an Officer of the Order of Arts & Letters of the French Republic, a BMI Ikon Award, the Mojo Maverick Award, a Lifetime BBC Folk Award, and many international awards. 2014 saw Donovan inducted into the Songwriters Hall of Fame.
The retrospective of Donovan in 2015 is eagerly awaited by those who followed him from his beginnings and by the new generations who recognise in Donovan all that they are missing in their own contemporary songwriters. Donovan returns to the concert stage as one of the most consummate solo performers of all time.
One of the UK’s most popular live concert experiences, The Story of Guitar Heroes has garnered critical acclaim both at home and abroad for its incredible homage to some of the most influential and iconic guitarists from the past 50 years of popular music.
Featuring some of the UK’s most talented musicians, the show includes classic hits from guitar legends Eric Clapton, Jimi Hendrix, Brian May, Jimmy Page, Hank Marvin, Chuck Berry, Mark Knopfler, Slash and many more!
Using state-of-the-art video projection the show journeys through five decades, from 1950s Rock & Roll through to the most creative and inspirational guitar heroes of the modern era.
The Story of Guitar Heroes continues to attract ever-growing audiences of men, women and children of all ages. Renowned for its versatile world-class musicianship, the show recreates the unique sounds of each guitar legend with incredible accuracy, utilising no less than 30 different authentic guitars!
“Every lick is expertly played by highly experienced, gifted musicians”
“Amazing show, amazing musicians!”
“Multiple UK Blues Award nominee Chris Corcoran is considered to be one of the finest Blues guitarists in the UK. With his band and trio he performs regularly across London, the UK and Europe. His shows offer a unique instrumental performance of Blues based music which has influenced and inspired him over his 30 years of performing. His new album ‘The Burner’ is due for release later this year.
He is an Ambassador for the International Guitar Foundation Outreach Programme and recently published a book ‘Chromatic Blues Guitar Soloing’.”
Trio performances feature Matt Radford on Double Bass and Peter Greatorex on Drums.
Gary Cain is a Canadian guitarist, singer, and songwriter with one foot planted firmly in the blues, and the other foot planted in seemingly everything else.
Drawing on a wide range of influences from Albert King to AC/DC, Cain’s incendiary fret-work earned him an opening slot with blues-rocker George Thorogood, a Semi-Finalist finish at the International Blues Challenge, and main-stage appearances at major festivals across North America, Europe, and the UK.
His 2022 album Next Stop received widespread critical acclaim, and was called “a stunning tour de force of musicianship” by Blues Blast Magazine (UK). 2024 saw the release of his 3rd album, Outside The Lines, charting on the UK’s Independent Blues Broadcasters’ Top 40 albums, getting over 1 million streams on Spotify, and further staking out his own style and artistic voice.
“a fearless lyricist, a ripping guitarist, and a creator with his own ideas about how to play this game of ours, which means you need to be listening.”
– Rock and Blues Muse
“ridiculously talented, genre-bending guitarist…a jaw-dropper.”
– Blues Matters Magazine
“a stunning tour de force of musicianship”
– Blues Blast Magazine
Galaxy Thief are a British indie rock 4-piece from Dorset. Formed in early 2017, influences from bands such as Nothing But Thieves, The 1975, Foo Fighters & Angels and Airwaves infuse a unique and unprecedented sound. From local music venues to festivals around the UK, they have built a reputation for energetic live shows that bring their fans back time and time again. The unstoppable band brotherhood is made up of Rhys Messenger (Lead Vocals/Rhythm Guitar), George Bowerman (Lead Guitar/Vocals), Ben Watton (Drums) and Jake Trim (Bass/Vocals).
Since creation, the band have unleashed 2 EP’s and a bunch of singles prior to a shift in aesthetic in 2021. The band’s music has drawn a wider audience worldwide. 2023 saw the release of ‘Years’, ‘Second Messing’, ‘Something New’, ‘Come alive’, and ‘Last Chance’. Their music has received hundreds of radio plays including BBC Introducing Solent with interviews on a number of regional radio stations as well as several TV appearances.
Galaxy Thief was the first band to be handpicked as Ambassadors for Yamaha Music London and they are ready to play a show near you.
Described as possessing ‘multi-dimensional gifts, imagination and fearless artistic sensibility’ by Acoustic Guitar Magazine, Laura Snowden is a classical guitarist and composer whose eclectic musical output has ranged from playing on the Marvel film Black Widow soundtrack to performing a guitar concerto with the BBC Symphony Orchestra. Having studied with the legendary guitarist Julian Bream, Laura has since gone on to forge her own creative path, performing her individual programmes all over the world. Laura’s compositions and arrangements have struck a chord with her listeners for their emotive and storytelling qualities, and have been broadcast on Classic FM, recorded for Decca, and performed at the Wigmore Hall and Royal Albert Hall.
Social Media Videos (general use)
Spanish Sunday Social Media (Flamenco meets Maqam)
Juan Martín learned his art in the land of its origin, Andalucia in southern Spain where he spent his early formative years and where he still retains a home. As a teenager he played in local fiestas, weddings and baptisms, developing his knowledge and skills in the disciplines of the purest traditions of flamenco. At the age of 17, already playing professionally, he performed in the film ‘Donde tu estés’, filmed in the Málaga region. He also accompanied singers including El Chocolate, Manolo Gafas and Antonio Canillas At the age of 18 he went to Madrid where he gained wide experience with many leading players, dancers and singers. He was greatly influenced by the example and encouragement of the legendary guitarist Niño Ricardo and Juan also became a regular visitor to the home of his friend Paco de Lucía with whom he studied in his early twenties.
These early years provided the basis for his career as a solo performer and leader of his own dance companies, a challenging vocation which has bought him International acclaim as an innovative concert performer, broadcaster and recording artist.
He was voted into the top flamenco guitarists by the magazine Guitar Player for two years running and was invited to perform at Picasso’s 90th birthday celebrations which later led him to record his ground breaking album Picasso Portraits. He has performed at major festivals worldwide including Montreux Jazz twice, once with Miles Davis, the First World Guitar Congress in the USA, The Adelaide Guitar Festival, Celtic Connections, Ludwigsberg , Atlantic Jazz in Canada and the Hong Kong Festival amongst others. He was also featured in the flamenco festivals in Cádiz province as well as the prestigeous Ojen Festival in Málaga.
His interest in the Moorish roots of flamenco led him to record Música Alhambra in 1996 rediscovering Andalusí and Sephardic music from the 12th and 13th Centuries. More recent recording have included ‘La Guitarra – Mi Vida’ as a duo with his colleague Chaparro de Málaga, a live flamenco performance at the Barbican as well as filmed performances both at the Barbican in London and in the Roman Arena in Istanbul. His previous recordings include Serenade recorded with the Royal Philharmonic Orchestra, Painter in Sound with Mark Isham, Through the Moving Window , El Alquimista recorded with other instrumentation in Spain and solo albums including The Early Years, The Flamenco Soul of Juan Martín, Olé Don Juan, Solo, The Andalucian Suites and Luna Negra as well as flamenco albums with the singer Antonio Aparecida.
Juan Martín has a passion for communicating the mysteries of his art to a wider audience so in 1978 he published his first method book “El Arte Flamenco de la Guitarra” which has become a best seller, has never been out of print and has been described as having an authority comprable to Fernando Sor’s studies for the classical guitar. This book was followed by a video series now released as a book with dvds “La Guitarra Flamenca”, “Solos Flamencos” volumes one and two with cd and dvd and his most recent books “Essential Flamenco” volumes one and two. He has also produced transcriptions of his compositions the latest of which is a transcription of 8 solos either in music or tablature called “Guitarra Solista”. His commitment to his art has taken him to at least 40 countries around the world for concerts and he now holds a annual guitar course in Ronda, Andalucia as well as a variety of master classes initiating others into the historic traditions and exciting developments in the art today.
Reviewers have compared his compositions to those of the great Spanish composers Tarrega and Turina and his compositions often reflect the historic sense of places, people and paintings that characterise the remarkable range and depth of his artistry today including his profound sensitivity to the beauties of sound and rhythmic ímpetus of which his guitar is capable.
Join us for an unforgettable night of flamenco music, singing and dance with prize-winning artists from Andalusia, Spain. Flamenco Show – ‘Flamenco from Spain’ Maestro guitarist Ramon Ruiz from Granada who trained in Seville , prize- winning artists Rebeca Ortega, an elegant and accomplished dancer based in Seville, and Carlos Lobo, renowned puro flamenco singer from Jerez de la Frontera now based in Seville.
Don’t miss out on this opportunity to immerse yourself in the rich cultural heritage of Andalusia, with traditional and modern flamenco artistry.
REBECA ORTEGA @rebecaortegaflamenco
Rebeca Ortega, a talented flamenco dancer worldwide acclaimed based in Seville, has captivated international audiences with her recent productions ‘The Rebellion of Silence’ (which which was nominated as best female dancer at Seville Scenarios Awards 2024) and ‘RAÍCES’ (with which was finalist of Madrid Madroño Awards 2022). Her participation in the Suma Flamenca Joven Festival of 2022 consolidated her as one of the promises of traditional flamenco dance.
She is selected by the Spanish Embassy to represent the Art of Flamenco across the globe, taking her art to stages throughout Europe, as well as to places as far away as China, Gabon, Ethiopia, Malaysia, Trinidad and Tobago, offering performances and master classes. Her formal training includes studies in Flamenco, Ballet, Classical Spanish and Contemporary dance in recognised institutions including the Conservatory of Dance in Seville and Amor de Dios in Madrid. Under the tuition of outstanding artists such as Merche Esmeralda, La Tati and El Güito, Rebeca has developed a wide repertoire of techniques and skills, fusing her art with elements of circus and theatre.
Rebeca stood out in important productions such as “A mi manera” with the flamenco company “Teatro Flamenco La Tati”, and as a solo dancer at the Edinburgh Fringe Festival and has taught across the UK and internationally for many years, founding the group ‘Nottingham Flamenquitas’ whilst living in UK. Since 2017, she has left an indelible mark on international stages, where her collaboration with circus artist Villads Bugge Bang has led her to innovative performances that mix flamenco, body percussion and physical theatre – and that have contributed to her unique style.
Rebeca continues to explore new artistic horizons, participating inprojects that fuse flamenco with other forms of cultural expression,
including her recent collaboration with the famous band “PATAX”; and in the production “KALASETU” in London, a show that integrated traditional flamenco art with classical Indian music and dance. Her passion and versatility have established her as a high profile figure on the currentflamenco scene.
RAMÓN RUIZ @ramon_flamenco
Ramon Ruiz is a sought after flamenco guitarist, composer, recording artist and creative director. His music beautifully expresses complex emotion, mastery and maturity in both composition and performance. From Granada, Ramon was trained in Seville’s renowned flamenco tablao ‘Los Gallos’ by a generation of world famous flamenco artists. After many years of working in Spain, across Europe and touring internationally, he continues to develop his art from London – followed by a new international and very current audience.
Ramon is a regular guest playing live on BBC Radio 3, he headlines in the top UK music venues and has been performing his own productions in The Jazz Cafe London for over 8 years – each time producing something new for his audience. He has also performed in The Royal Albert Hall, for theRoyal Variety Show and on BBC TV, Canal Sur TV Spain, Theatro Verdi Florence and on the Fabrizio Costanzo Show in Rome. He starred in The Mask of Zorro West End Production and has performed with world class artists including Anouscha Ravishankar, Hamza Namira and the Gypsy Kings. He has just finished an award-winning off-West End play in London called ‘Song of Songs’ by John Gertz, and is artistic- director of Kalestu, an Indo-Spanish production which premiered in London in March and will tour from November. With extraordinary dexterity and musicality in both traditional and contemporary stylistic genres, Ramón recently recorded his third album Calle Lunga in Abbey Road Studios London. It includes all original compositions and arrangements and was inspired by his journey of nearly 40 years mastering flamenco guitar internationally.
Social media links: https://linktr.ee/ramonruizguitar
CARLOS LOBO
A native of Jerez and essentially Andalusian, Lobo is a natural talent singer in traditional ‘puro’ flamenco, and comes from deep flamenco roots. He is in high demand on stages and in tablaos in Seville working alongside top flamenco artists from Spain. He recently performed with the Scottish National Opera and the Welsh National Opera in Ainadamar by Osvaldo Golijov, and interestingly explored the stage of theatre, singing in the ‘El Carromato’ Company in Spain and the Thêatre Company “La Ruche” in France. Carlos regularly booked all year round so we are lucky to have him join us in this event.
“A player of superb poetic gifts”
– New York Times
“A masterclass in magic”
– BBC Music Magazine
He has recorded more than twenty albums and played in forty countries, with concert appearances ranging from intimate recitals to concertos with symphony orchestras. He recorded a Grammy nominated album with John Williams and has performed in concert with him on a number of occasions, (left with John and Paco Peña).
Other artists with whom Carlos has recorded and appeared in concert include guitarists Paco Peña and Martin Taylor, violinists
Pinchas Zukerman and Salvatore Accardo, and singers Patricia Rozario, Teresa Berganza and the late Philip Langridge. Carlos also recorded the guitar for the popular TV Series Inspector Morse theme and the follow up series Endeavour (young inspector Morse). The TV theme was voted the nation’s favourite theme by Classic FM in 2021.
“Absolutely exquisite”
– Brian May (of Queen)
Carlos’ interest in bringing the classical guitar into the mainstream led in 2008 to his album release Queen Guitar Rhapsodies, in concerto-style arrangements of music by the group Queen for solo guitar and symphony orchestra. It was widely praised, including by Queen’s Brian May who described it as “Absolutely exquisite”.
His album Magical Mystery Guitar Tour, inspired by his association with Sir Paul McCartney is dedicated to the music of the Beatles in Carlos’ own arrangements for solo guitar. It went to number one on the UK iTunes
classical album charts in May 2012.
In fact Carlos played guitar on the 1984 McCartney Album ‘Give My Regards to Broadstreet’
Carlos started to play guitar at the age of five. He completed his studies at the Royal College of Music with John Williams and was appointed the youngest ever professor at the age of 22.
Ignacio Lusardi Monteverde and Konstantinos Glynos alongside Lourdes Fernandez and Demi Garcia Sabat present new musical ideas based on Middle Eastern and Flamenco music, with pieces that are musical visions that include Magams, Andalusian harmonies and rhythms of the Middle East – from Babylon and Ancient Spain to the present.
PERCUSSION
Demi Garcia Sabat
DANCE
Lourdes Fernandez
FLAMENCO GUITAR
Ignacio Lusardi Monteverde
QANUN
Konstantinos Glynos
A night of passionate rhythms of Flamenco music.
The intense sounds of hand clapping, foot stomping, singing and exquisite guitar playing will transport you for one night to Andalucia – the heart of Flamenco. Dancer Aneta Skut is accompanied on this occasion by the finest Flamenco musicians Cuffy Cuthbertson (guitar) and Kostka Garcia (vocals/percussion).
ANETA SKUT – Dancer and dance teacher
Aneta, originally from Poland, discovered her passion for dance as a child but Flamenco captured her soul and led her to follow its path to Spain, where she learnt from renowned teachers at the famous dance school Amor de Dios in Madrid and with La Truco, Antonio Canales and
La Lupi in Andalusia. Aneta’s expressive style has bought together many influences from east and west, a fusion representing her life long journey through different countries. Aneta also teaches Flamenco in Taunton and performs regularly in the South West UK with the group Flamenco Loco’
CUFFY CUTHBERTSON – Guitarist and guitar teacher
Cuffy Cuthbertson, originally from Glasgow, began playing guitar from an early age and when Flamenco entered his life, it soon took over!
He studied under Tito Heredia, Paco Serrano and Gerardo Nunez and has acquired an extraordinary level of technique. He tours internationally with singer Yasmin Levy as well as playing with his band Flamenco Loco around the South West UK.
He also teaches Flamenco guitar in Bristol.
KOSTKA GARCIA – Guitarist, guitar and drums teacher, vocals, percussion
Born in Northern Spain, Kostka lives in Stroud, England and works as a guitar, bass and drums teacher, as well as being an examiner for Rockschool.
Kostka started learning classical guitar at the age of nine, picking up the drums in his teens. He studied percussion for two years in the conservatory in his hometown of Bilbao Spain. Moving to Madrid in his early twenties, he played with many different bands.
Based in Stroud since 1992, he got the flamenco bug in the late 90s and began to study cajon, guitar and singing and met Cuffy in 1998, first having guitar lessons with him and then playing with Cuffy in Calima.
From then on, Kostka has been singing and playing cajon for Cuffy.
Since 2017 Kostka has been the drummer in latin blues band Albino Tarantino based in Stroud, England. He has played guitar and cajon for flamenco dance classes in the Bristol area of England for the last twenty years. In 2022 he formed a flamenco pop trio called Babia, in which he sings and plays bass.
Flamenco roots, Latin grooves & timeless Spanish ballads
ABOUT MIKI
Miki Cruz is a Spanish guitarist and singer currently based in Dorset, UK, with over 20 years of experience performing across the UK and internationally. His music blends flamenco roots, Latin grooves, and romantic Spanish ballads, creating a vibrant and emotional live experience perfect for festivals, private events, and elegant gatherings.
Extended Bio
Born and raised in Spain, Miki Cruz brings the warmth, passion, and rhythm of his homeland to every performance. For over two decades, he has captivated audiences across the UK and beyond with his distinctive mix of flamenco guitar, Latin rhythms, and timeless ballads. Inspired by artists such as Diego El Cigala, Luis Miguel, Gipsy Kings, and Paco de Lucía, Miki’s shows are an uplifting journey through the heart of Spanish and Latin music.
Whether it’s the romantic soul of a bolero, the fiery pulse of a rumba, or the elegance of instrumental pieces like “Soleares”, “Romance Anónimo” or “Entre dos aguas”, Miki’s music transcends language barriers, uniting audiences in a shared celebration of melody and rhythm.
Style: Flamenco, rumba, Latin pop, romantic Spanish ballads, Pop-Rock, instrumental guitar classics.
Repertoire: A unique mix of Spanish and international favourites, reimagined with Miki’s authentic style. Sets include both vocal and instrumental performances, from fiery rumbas to romantic tangos and soulful boleros.
Influences: Diego El Cigala, Luis Miguel, Alejandro Fernández, Buena Vista Club Social, Mayito Rivera, Havana De Primera.
Notable Performances: Restaurants, Tapas and Wine venues and private events. International performances in Spain and Latin America. Tv Shows and Radios.
Testimonials: “We are lucky to once again have Miki Cruz entertain us for the afternoon. He certainly caused some hearts to flutter and hips to jiggle in the audience when he played for us in June!”