Hutsul Warrior Song for Ukraine • with Nikolaj, Marian, Martin & Michal

Hutsul Warrior Song for Ukraine • with Nikolaj, Marian, Martin & Michal

While in the Czech Republic a few months after Russia invaded Ukraine, a group of musicians from different cultures within the Carpathian Mountains (Valach from the Czech side and Hutsul from the Ukrainian) came together to play a Hutsul warrior song for Ukraine.

"K" with Anxo Pintos

"K" with Anxo Pintos

Two days before leaving Spain, I met with Galician master hurdy gurdy musician and composer Anxo Pintos. Instrumental and personal synergy were immediate and before we knew it, the sun had gone down.

"Muiñeira de Negros / Noitébrega" with Begoña Riobo

"Muiñeira de Negros / Noitébrega" with Begoña Riobo

For collaboration #4, I received my first Galician fiddle lesson from Begoña Riobo. She showed me the ways of muiñeiras, xotas, and ornamentation. I showed here the way of the hórreo.

"A Miña Burriña" with Xosé Liz & Hugo Franco

"A Miña Burriña" with Xosé Liz & Hugo Franco

While in up in the northwest Galicia area of Spain, I prepared material for a trio gig with Xosé Liz (bouzouki) and Hugo Franco (guitar). Here is an arrangement of A Miña Burriña from our collaboration.

"Elzic's Farewell" with Javi Gómez

"Elzic's Farewell" with Javi Gómez

On my final afternoon in Seville, I was able to meet flamenco guitarist Javi Gómez. We twisted up an old American fiddle tune with a standard flamenco farruca guitar melody for a lovely melding of our traditions.

"Tientos Tangos" with Ricardo Bustamante

"Tientos Tangos" with Ricardo Bustamante

I met Ricardo Bustamante while attending a weekly flamenco concert on Sunday nights in a cozy terrace at Mar d’Amura (Cabanyal, Valencia, Spain) and promptly took a couple lessons with him. In our second meeting, we focused on a slow and beautifully melodic tango of his own, Tientos Tangos.