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Describe the atmosphere and live music at a local pub, restaurant, festival, church or temple, club night.... inspire other people to check it out!
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Musician: Paul Aguilera
Location: Brighton
Instruments: voice, guitar
Music: Flamenco / Spanish / Brazilian / Jazz
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 ÌýÌýListen (5'45) to 'Navegando', from the album, Jazz Tango Fandango performed by Paul Aguilera and Calavera
'I lead the life I want to lead through my music, playing flamenco and making musical instruments'
How I came to this music:
I have a Mediterranean background, my parents being Spanish and Italian so from an early age I listened to many types of music. I got into guitar and came across flamenco music. I was instantly captivated by its sounds and techniques and immersed myself in learning the style. Flamenco's a passionate and dynamic music that can move from extreme brashness to gentleness. At the time, I came across Cuban and Brazilian guitar styles which also fascinated me.
Over the years I've studied this music and become an ethnomusicologist. I have a Masters from London's School of African and Oriental Studies, specialising in Middle Eastern music. The more I play, the more I find there is to explore. I'm also an instrument maker, producing all manner of stringed instruments from around the world. So I lead the life I want to lead through my music, playing flamenco and making musical instruments
Where I play:
I play all over the country and have played in numerous countries around the world. I'm based in Brighton and have played in most of the venues in the city. I host a regular once monthly flamenco night at Cueva Flamenca (Flamenco Cave) in the Komedia in Brighton where I play with my own flamenco orchestra, Candela. We invite guests groups to play too. I also play at 'La Peña Flamenco', a club in Lewes where anyone can get up on stage and share their music. Every village in Spain has a peña so that's what we try to re-create in Lewes. Then there's the festival circuit where I've played at Glastonbury, Brighton, Lewes International Guitar Festival, Festival of Nordic Arts (Norway), Earth Spirit and many more.
A favourite song:
'La Vida es Estrana' (Life is Strange) is a very special song. It was written by the poet, Ramon Correa. Ramon's now passed on but he was a source of superb lyrics for our band, Calavera, over the years. I met him at a Latin Festival and we immediately connected. He needed musicians to work with and we were thrilled to have someone of his poetic flair.  The song talks about how each of us must find our unique destiny in life. It's particularly poignant because Ramon was ill at the time though we weren't aware of it, so it's tinged with that sharp insight into the finality of life. It's also a great example of flamenco with percussion, bass and cello.
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