New CD by Rafael: "Mezquita".

Recently released, the new CD "Mezquita" combines both Spanish and British musicians from the fields of flamenco, jazz and contemporary music, incorporating percussion, jazz guitar, electric bass, flute and saxophone to complement the flamenco guitar.

Rafael - flamenco guitar

Paco Bernal - percussion
One of the most talented percussionists of the moment, Paco is self-taught and is equally at home with salsa, jazz or flamenco. He has recorded with many prestigious artists including Salpicao, Perico Sambeat, Ximo Tebar, and saxophonist Jorge Pardo and percussionist Rubem Dantas (from Paco de Lucia Sextet). He has also taken part in the Festival Internacional de Córdoba, Jazz Festival de Alicante and Sevilla Expo '92. He has appeared on numerous radio and television broadcasts including Spanish Canal 9 and German Television. He has toured for several years with Rafael and features on his new CD Mezquita.

Pete McPhail - flute and saxophone
Pete has performed and broadcast throughout the world including USA, Canada, Cuba, Mexico, Switzerland, and Senegal. He has played with, amongst others, The London Jazz Composers Orchestra, Moiré Music, Resound and Talisker as well as in groups led by Keith Tippett, Louis Moholo and David Cross (from King Crimson). In addition to his work as a player he composes and runs workshops for contemporary dance and theatre. In this area he has worked with Mal Pelo, Thêatre de Complicité and The Right Size. He is a featured artist on numerous CDs and is also a much sought after session musician.

Jez Cook - jazz guitar
Jez has played in many festivals in Europe, including the Birmingham Jazz Festival, Edinburgh Festival, and appeared on television with That Sweet Thang. Other notable performances have been with Coleridge Goode (bass player with Django Reinhardt), Diz Dizly (guitarist with Stephan Grapelli), and Lillian Bouté and Thomas L' Etienne from New Orleans.

Andy Crowdy - bass guitar
Andy is in constant demand not only for his bass playing but also for his guitar and balalaika work, composing and arranging. Graduating from University with a Masters in Composition and Twentieth Century Music, he has worked on all types of music including films, television, radio and countless recordings and live performances throughout Europe.

A brief introduction to the flamenco
guitar by Rafael