The guitarist has Paolo Fresu, Perico Sambeat and Mariano Díaz as guests

Flamenco-world.com, June 2004
Photos: Daniel Muñoz

Though he hasn't stopped making music, it has been five years since Gerardo Núñez brought out a solo album. ‘Andando el tiempo’ (‘Time Passing’), the fifth record by the Jerez-born guitarist, comes with the intention of being “more guitar than instrumental”, despite the presence of three special guests: Paolo Fresu on trumpet, Perico Sambeat on saxophone and Mariano Díaz on piano. The album consists of ten of his own compositions and, as a sort of epilogue, a revision of ‘Ímpetu’ by Mario Escudero. Standing out from the group of musicians are Cepillo on percussion and Pablo Martín on contrabass, members of the trio with which the guitarist tirelessly tours stages on the international circuit.

	Gerardo Núñez

‘Andando el tiempo’ is the much-awaited new album by Gerardo Núñez. Throughout the last year the Jerez-born guitarist has created a repertoire of ten new compositions and “tracks that were scattered here and there”, which are joined by Mario Escudero's ‘Ímpetu’. ‘La Habana a oscuras’, ‘Trasgo’, ‘Plaza de los Plateros’, ‘Templo del Lucero’, ‘Nocturno’, ‘Compás de Amistad’, ‘Yerma’, ‘Siempre es tarde’, ‘Soleá de la luna coja’ and ‘Canícula’ are the suggestive titles of this fifth album, on which there is room for the soleá through bulerías, the rumba, the farruca...

In the past year musicians of different musical ‘genetics’ have been to the studio of Gerardo Núñez, who self-produces this album for the German label ACT. Standing out as special guests are trumpet player Paolo Fresu, saxophonist Perico Sambeat and pianist Mariano Díaz. Also deserving special mention is the work of the members of his trio, percussionist Cepillo and contrabass player Pablo Martín, who lend him accompaniment throughout the record. Joining them are bailaora Carmen Cortés, on clapping; Noah Shaye and Moy Natenzon, on drums; Juanito el Cubano, on congas; Isabel Núñez, on ambience; and Martin and Pepe el Habanero on electric bass.

A prolific guitarist

Since the release of ‘Calima’ in 1999, Gerardo Núñez hasn't published an album of his own, though he hasn't stopped moving forward with the most varied record projects. In 2000 he took part in the collective album ‘Jazzpaña II’. In 2001 he led the flamenco jazz album ‘Cruce de caminos’, together with Perico Sambeat, Esperanza Fernández, George Colligan, Javier Colina, Arto Tuncboyaciyan and Marc Miralta. In 2002 he composed and played the album ‘Un ramito de locura’ for cantaora Carmen Linares. And in 2003 he sponsored several names of toque's new blood on ‘La nueva escuela de la guitarra flamenca’ (‘The New School of Flamenco Guitar’). After ‘Andando el tiempo’ comes out on the market, Gerardo Núñez is scheduled to bring out different record initiatives that he is working on.

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