Richard Boukas, Brazilian Guitar virtuoso, comes to Santa Fe
Richard Boukas presents his Brazilian Guitar Panorama on Saturday, July 11 with a workshop from 2-4 pm, followed by a solo guitar performance at 7:30 pm. Both take place at the GiG Performance Space (1808 Second St., 501-3333). Boukas will also be a guest on KSFR’s (101.1 FM)’ “Jazz a la carta” program, 9 am-noon on Friday, July 10.
After nearly 30 years of performing in and leading various jazz and Brazilian music ensembles and gaining honors as distinct as being declared the “Best Brazilian Jazz Guitarist in the US” by GuitarOne Magazine, New York-born guitarist Richard Boukas feels there’s always more to be learned and to be played.
“It’s like your work is never done,” Boukas explains in regards to developing his repertoire and constantly exploring and experimenting in the many genres of Brazilian music. With positions teaching jazz improvisation, ear training, choral musicianship and more at New York’s New School, as well as a “steady gig” performing at the Bonfire Grill Restaurant in Queens, NY every Monday evening, Boukas is focused on making sure he never becomes complacent with his art and that his work truly never ends.
For Boukas, each piece of music is still alive, vibrant and fertile with ideas and expressions still ripe to be uncovered. With each piece that he performs, the guitarist hopes to put forth his own unique style and personality while honoring those composers and guitarists who influenced him. Indeed, he plans for roughly 90 percent of his performance at Santa Fe’s GiG Performance Space on Saturday to be made up of the compositions of other composers to highlight Brazil’s musical traditions and diversity.
SFR spoke with Boukas and learned more about his influences, musical philosophy, and what he hopes to accomplish through his solo Brazilian guitar workshop and performance on July 11.
Loading ...
