A photo essay by documentary photographer and flamenco enthusiast Cedric Arnold Click the play button bellow to hear a track by Jerez native and guitar virtuoso Maraito Chico. This is a Buleria, a flamenco style form Jerez. Form the album Morao y Oro: "Musica en el Aire" (Bulerias)
It's three in the morning, at the Pena Antonio Chacon in the heart of Jerez, the guitar playing, singing and hand clapping are no where near ending. © Cedric Arnold
L: Proud old men in hats spend long mornings chatting on benches all over Jerez, taking things slow and being in your Sunday best on any day of the week are a must. © Cedric Arnold R: The Anadalusian town of Jerez De La Frontera seen form the Alcazar, Jerez's Moorish fortress. Jerez lies 80 km south of Seville in the agricultural plains of the Rio Guadalquivir River. © Cedric Arnold Anadalusia, which takes it's name form the Arabic 'Al Andalus' has a complex mix of Moorish, Jewish and Gypsy history and culture. Flamenco embodies that complex musical and cultural tradition of Andalusia. Jerez, which is regarded by many as the 'birth place' of flamenco, attracts scholars, musician, dancers and enthusiasts from all over the world. who come to study and enjoy flamenco in it's purest form: 'Flamenco Puro'
Individual, forceful, downward and introvert, flamenco dance expresses the mood of the song, be it love, grief, anguish, anger; all to the rhythm of the guitar, hand clapping and the dancer’s own feet. L: Dancer Mercedes Ruiz rehearsing in a Jerez studio. Ruiz, a highly respected, award winning performer was born in Jerez's flamenco heartland, the gypsy quarter know as the "bario de San Miguel". Young women from the area look up to her and many hope to follow in her footsteps. Flamenco sprang from the lower levels of Andalusian society, and thus, for a long time lacked the prestige of art forms among the middle and higher classes. Many of the songs in flamenco still reflect the spirit of desperation, struggle, hope, and pride of the people during this time of persecution. Nowadays, whilst many “flamencos” still live in relative poverty, thanks to the popularity of flamenco worldwide it is possible to earn a good living form dance, guitar playing and singing… © Cedric Arnold R: Details of hand positions during a rehearsal with dancer Mercedes Ruiz © Cedric Arnold
The atmosphere warms up to the sounds of late night hand clapping and singing after a performance at the “Pena Terremoto”. Penas (flamenco clubs), as opposed to the tablao (tourist venues) are venues where locals and real enthusiasts go to enjoy the most authentic flamenco. They are often in the suburbs, hard to find and information about performances is usually obtained by word of mouth. After a performance, when the atmosphere "hots up" in the clubs' bar hand clapping and singing can trigger hours of dancing. An unforgettable spectacle, showing the true passion of flamenco. © Cedric Arnold
One of the many outdoor restaurants in central Jerez Serving local dishes and tapas, red wine by the glass or bottle as well as the local Sherry Jerez is famed for… A young woman walks through a quiet Jerez street during afternoon siesta time when the streets, in particular during the hot summer months are virtually empty. Cured hams or “Jamon” hang on a Jerez tapas bar wall. Jamon is consumed in large quantities all over Spain and even more so in Andalusia, served as tapas or used in small grilled sandwiches (Montaditos and bocadillios) in the morning or as a snack at any time of day for that matter… All images © Cedric Arnold
L: Male Dancer Farruquito during a performance in Jerez, clutching fists with passion and pride flowing through his veins. Farruquito or “little Farruco” is the grand son of the legendary gypsy dancer Farruco. A favorite with young ladies, Farruquito sets hearts pounding during his performances. Cries of "Ole! Guapo!" (Hey handsome!) can be heard all around throughout the show. In flamenco, there is no such thing as a passive audience. Hand clapping and cries of "Ole, Que sabe!” are all part of the performance. An audience could be reacting to a singer’s interpretation of a song, the power of a voice, the intensity of the dance… © Cedric Arnold R: A favorite with the "older" ladies and everyone else too, singer Chano Lobato during a performance in Jerez. Eighty year old Lobato is not just know for his talent as a singer but also as a real entertainer sharing funny little stories between each song. © Cedric Arnold
Jerezians clap hands and shout "Ole, Que sabe!!" during a performance by singer Chano Lobato. © Cedric Arnold L: Jerez native, the guitarist Alfredo Lagos, practicing in a Jerez Patio. Quite a few flamenco guitarists form Jerez have “made it big” with Moraito Chico leading the way. Hundreds of aspiring guitarists form all over the world come to learn with these guitarists and find the illusive “compas”. “Finding your compas” is similar to what jazz musicians describe as being “in the groove”… © Cedric Arnold R: The patio of the Centro Andaluz de Flamenco in central Jerez. The only resource center of its kind, the center houses a wealth ofdocuments on flamenco, where young gypsy boys, aspiring singers, guitarists and dancers come to watch videos of their idols. © Cedric Arnold
Details of flamenco dresses during a performance in Jerez. © Cedric Arnold
L: Dancer Adela Campallo during a performance at the “Fiesta de Automno” (a yearly outdoor festival held in Jerez, at the Plaza de Asuncion). © Cedric Arnold R: A guitarist on his way to a rehearsal in jerez. © Cedric Arnold
An elderly woman dances in a Jerez street after an outdoor flamenco show. After a show, people rarely go straight home, a few drinks at a nearby bar and when someone feels like it singing and dancing the atmosphere gets really going and might spill into the streets with people of all ages joining in...
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