(HOLLYWOOD PRESS CORPS) — New York City, New York — 1976 saw Robert Browning begin his pioneering World Music Concert Series in New York City, hosted at the Alternative Center, a Lower East Side art space that supported artists excluded by the mainstream gallery system.
In the 1980, it changed its name to Alternative Museum and moved to Tribeca.
By 1985, demand led him and his wife Helene to found the World Music Institute (WMI), which organized over 1,500 concerts, including festivals like the Festival of India, New York Winter Blues Festival (1984 -1993), the Musical World of Islam (1993-94, 1995-96) concert series, the Festival of Greek Music & Dance (2000-2005) and the New York Flamenco Festival.
Today, the XXIV Edition of Flamenco Festival New York honors Granada, a city in southern Spain, the capital of the Granada province, which is located within the autonomous community of Andalusia.
Federico García Lorca’s 1929 trip to New York, a period of profound transformation that birthed “Poet in New York,” is commemorated nearly a century later by the 24th Flamenco Festival New York. This year, the festival dedicates its program to the vibrant Flamenco of Lorca’s Granada, celebrating the poet’s intrinsic link to the art.
On March 7th, 2025, the Roulette Intermedium presented singer Antonio “El Turry”, master guitar Paco Jarana and percussionists Daniel Suárez and José Manuel “El Oruco.”
Antonio “El Turry,” a commanding vocalist, brought his exceptional talent to New York for his solo debut, “La Búsqueda del Duende” (The Search for Duende, RBA).
His voice, a powerful instrument of soul and command, led us into a trance, the depths of Flamenco’s mystical “el Duende,” a journey through the art form’s profound passion, sorrow, and raw intensity.
Coming from a lineage of Gypsy musicians, Antonio “El Turry” talent is deeply rooted. He is the son of guitarist Ricardo de la Juana and dancer Rosa la Canastera, and began performing with his family’s company at just ten years old. At eighteen, he relocated from his hometown Almuñécar to Granada.
The show started revealing Paco Jarana, hunched over his guitar as the maestro, his fingers a blur as he began a mournful, soulful melody.
Then, a voice. A deep, resonant voice, raw with emotion, joins the guitar.
The vocalist, Antonio “El Turry” virtuosity is undeniable, with flawless technique and a deep understanding of the music.
The percussionist Daniel Suárez built on a noticeable presence to the performance and José Manuel “El Oruco” clapping was not just a background element, but a crucial component, adding a unique rhythmic dimension.
Antonio “El Turry” powerful presence and voice soars, then dips, weaving a tapestry of joy, sorrow, and longing.
In every song, the rhythm intensifies, the music explodes, a vibrant tapestry of sound and emotion as Antonio “El Turry” is frequently taken with his own intense rhythm, often standing center stage, at the end of each song.
The vocalist’s voice, a powerful instrument, filled the room with emotion.
The audience was mesmerized. We were all transported to another world, a world of passion, pain, and joy.
The show was Flamenco at its finest, a raw, visceral experience that left us all with an indelible mark on our souls, creating a powerful and unforgettable evening.
We found the “duende” last Friday night.
The concept of “duende” is attributed to García Lorca, who described it as “a power, not a work; a struggle, not a thought”.
The “buscando el Duende” in Flamenco describes the spiritual journey of the artist, seeking that profound, visceral emotion that unlocks a truly powerful performance.
“Duende”, akin to a spirit or essence, is the mystical force that connects performer and audience, born from raw, authentic self expression.
To experience performances of this caliber or support these exceptional artists, visit the Robert Browning website and log in or donate:
https://www.robertbrowningassociates.com
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