Parallel lives, parallel movements: through the streets of
Holland met Habichuela, the acclaimed scion of a deep-rooted Gypsy family from Granada, as part of a jazz- meets-flamenco pairing instigated by a Sevilla arts organization. It didn't take long, however, for
While realizing he'd met a musical soul mate,
This culture resonates with jazz in unexpected ways, reflecting the parallel journeys of
Jazz and flamenco also share what
Though Habichuela served as
He felt his way forward in unique places, in the emotional power of great flamenco vocalists. Working with recordings and drawing on his years of experience and artistry,
On the taranta on the album ('Camaron'), I'm taking the role of the vocal with Pepe accompanying me. I had heard the great flamenco vocalist Camaron sing it, and I knew I had to live up to that. At the same time, I didn't want to stray too far while finding my own way."
Though unexpected, the upright bass proved perfect for echoing the dynamics and ornamentation of flamenco's sometimes simple melodies. The glissandos and flowing trills that make flamenco lines what they are offered
When we finally performed that taranta and when I got the olé from Pepe, I felt like I had graduated,"
At times daunted by the challenge of learning and teaching this wealth of structure and subtlety, Holland and Habichelasoon joined by Pepe's hip son Jocemi who's leaped into fame thanks to his flamenco fusion group Ketamaworked over three years to craft a body of work that honored flamenco's spirit while making room for gentle new perspectives.
When Jocemi joined us, I felt I could bring in some of my music. Pepe is 100 percent flamenco. That's what he does, but Jocemi has a broad range of musical experiences and brought new possibilities to the group."
This openness shines through on two tracks
Yet the heart of the albumthe pieces brought to the table by Habichuela and carefully transcribed and enriched by
I think fifteen or twenty years ago, I would not have been ready to do this project emotionally. I needed to reach this stage in my life to feel it,"
I can now say that we are two Gypsies," Habichuela chuckles, or better yet, he is a Gypsy and I am almost an Englishman."
Dave Holland and Pepe Habichuela, Hands (Dare2 Records) - 07/28/2010
From Granada Caves and New York Clubs: The Collaboration of Flamenco Guitarist Pepe Habichuela & Jazz Bassist Dave Holland