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View Full Version : Belated Greetings to Everyone


ssante
07-20-2009, 07:37 PM
I just wanted to take a few moments to greet everyone and mention abit about myself. I grew up being influenced by Rock Guitar Players like: Jim Hendrix, Jeff Beck, Carlos Santana, Robin Trower, Joni Mitchell and Frank Marino. Then in the 70's I got into Fusion, Jazz, Flamenco, Classical (Al DiMeola, Pat Metheny, Carlos Montoya, Sabicas, Mario Escudero, Manolo Sanlucar, Juan Serrano, Paco DeLucia, Egberto Gismonti, Ralph Towner, Earl Klugh, Joe Pass, Kenny Burrell, etc.). In the late 70's I began studying with Lamar Eskelson at The Conservatory of Guitar and Voice in Salt Lake City. I began with Classical Guitar Study but after 3 months was bitten by Flamenco. I studied Flamenco for 2 years under Lamar's guidance.

During this time I was part of a duo that played a fusion of styles which incorporated classical, jazz and Flamenco. The duo was Guitar (myself) and Bass. The duo eventually morphed into a full on Rock Fusion band which lasted until the late 80's. The Band was based out of Salt Lake City and we played regionally (Utah, Idaho, Nevada, Wyoming, etc.). Gradually the band shifted from all original to mostly cover tunes and as a result I left the in the late 80's (I was co-leader and lead guitar).

I then discovered Electronic Music and Synthesizers and decided to go Solo with Electronic backing. In 1999 I released my first NewAge/Ambient Release titled: Into Light. That release was followed by 2 more Ambient/Electronic releases. On all 3 releases I played 95% of all parts using Midi Guitar. My last Ambient/Space release was titled "Inner Beauty" and was tracked using 100% midi guitar.

In 2004 I decided I wanted to switch back to standard electric guitar and incorporate more lounge and jazz textures and in 2005/2007 released 2 more projects in the "Lounge/Acid Jazz/Chillout" genre.

I have now come back almost full circle and am loving the beauty and challenge of Solo Nylon String Guitar. Flamenco, Brazilian and Classical music has one again captured my soul and I have discovered a wealth of artists that I had not previously heard: Tomatito, Gerardo Nunez, Vincente Amigo, Sharon Isbin, Andrew York, LAGQ, Badi Assad, Ana Vidovic, and numerous others.

I am very happy to be here, share ideas, information and knowledge with everyone.

Sandra
07-20-2009, 08:06 PM
Well, then, a belated welcome is in order, too! :)

You have quite an interesting background, to say the least. I've visited your site and have to say I think your music is very innovative. While not exactly my cup of tea, I have a lot of respect and admiration for what you're doing.

And I'm very happy you're here. This place seems like an old boy's club at times, so it's great to have another distaff voice in the mix. :)

Jubilee Valence
07-20-2009, 08:47 PM
I'm in!!!

Welcome! (kind'a...;) )

I've enjoyed and learned from your posts and can't wait to pick up the Lamar stories that you....ahem..."owe us"...heh heh heh...:twisted:

Love the site AND music too!
--and the reviews are very....shall we say, harkening!?

(psst, but I'm a little confused-----northern NM or Utah!?)

ssante
07-20-2009, 09:17 PM
I'm in!!!

Welcome! (kind'a...;) )

I've enjoyed and learned from your posts and can't wait to pick up the Lamar stories that you....ahem..."owe us"...heh heh heh...:twisted:

Love the site AND music too!
--and the reviews are very....shall we say, harkening!?

(psst, but I'm a little confused-----northern NM or Utah!?)

Hi Jubilee,

I just posted a short story on Lamar tonight. I will follow with more if folks are okay with that?

Thanks for the kind words regarding my site and music.

I am not sure what you mean by northern NM or Utah? I am originally from the Bay Area, California. I then moved to Salt Lake City, Utah where I lived for about 10 years. I have now been living in Colorado for the last 20 years. I do love Santa Fe and Taos.

ssante
07-20-2009, 09:20 PM
Hi Jubilee,

I just posted a short story on Lamar tonight. I will follow with more if folks are okay with that?


I published Lamar Pt. 1 under the Flamenco section under the original thread. I hope that is okay? If not I will post the next thread in another section of MB.

ssante
07-21-2009, 08:13 AM
Well, then, a belated welcome is in order, too! :)

You have quite an interesting background, to say the least. I've visited your site and have to say I think your music is very innovative. While not exactly my cup of tea, I have a lot of respect and admiration for what you're doing.

And I'm very happy you're here. This place seems like an old boy's club at times, so it's great to have another distaff voice in the mix. :)

Thanks so much Sandra.

Its interesting how things have changed for me. After I released my 5th project (Shine) I had a feeling that I would be distancing myself from computer technology and focusing on basics again. I found myself listening to very little Ambient/NewAge/Chillout music anymore though I still enjoy listening to Bebel Gilberto, CEU or David Sylvian on occasion. I also still enjoy Enya at times as her music is soothing.

I have recently sold all my electric guitars, keyboard controllers and synth/sampler software. I can't explain how liberating it is to simply focus on Acoustic Guitar after being so steeped in technology all these years. Looking back I realized that I probably spent 75% of my energy in Production Work (learning software, programming my own synthesizer sounds, learning sampling technology, percussion and drum programming, etc.) and another 20% running the Music Business. At the end of the day there is not much room for pedagogy in the traditional sense. I sorely missed playing live. Most electronically arranged music contains many layered tracks which either requires a large band to replicate or one must play DJ and leverage something like Ableton Live (computer software) to control playing most of the parts as backing tracks while the artist plays. The whole concept of being so focused on Digital Technology became more of a burden and less fullfilling as a musician. Over a period of years I felt I had been "assimilated" by Technology.

I still have ProTools for Mastering purposes and a quality portable Digital Recorder but thats it! I now spend 75% of my energy focused on Acoustic Guitar pedagogy. Since I love to compose music I know that as I progress I will write new compositions that might end up on a future project. For now though, I have a tremendous amount of studying and playing to catch up on. I am learning so much from the wonderful advice and discussions on the GSI MB.