Review Centre: Jazz Guitarists

"Daniel Martinez was at The Queen’s Hall Edinburgh tonight performing his “20th Anniversary of Flamenco” concert to an enthusiastic audience who had filled the venue pretty much to capacity. Born and raised in Cordoba, Andalucia, this performer, composer and award winning guitarist started his professional flamenco studies at the age of 7. Daniel’s flamenco journey was to take him another 14 years of study at the Royal Conservatoire, and the opportunity to perform in some of the best tablaos (venues) in Cordoba. A move to Scotland has seen Danial Martinez make Edinburgh his new home, and tonight’s performance is part of an ongoing goal in life to not only keep true to the original ethos of Flamenco, but also to develop his own music and projects whilst bringing the living and breathing spirit of this art for to new audiences. This evening’s performance was split into two very distinct performances. The first half with Daniel Martinez performing solo on guitar and playing work from some of the great Flamenco guitarists who have influenced his own work over the years, including amongst others, Vicente Amigo, Paco de Lucía and Rafael Riqueni. Watching and listening to Daniel Martinez play guitar is in itself a lesson in his art, as his ability to perform the many challenging techniques that flamenco guitar requires to a very high standard is obvious, but this alone is never going to be enough, and something else has to happen for the spirit of this music to really work its magic, some connection that lets the performer become almost a conduit for the music, and Daniel Martinez has that elusive connection. The final performance of the first half “Baile por Rondena” (Dance for Rondena) was composed by Daniel Martinez and highlighted the interpretive performance skills of dancer Gabriela Pouso. It was perhaps here that we, the audience, got to get a little glimpse into the true spirit of flamenco as Daniel Martinez followed in the footsteps of Gabriela on guitar, along the way improvising his performance to match hers in rhythm, volume and expression with the two performers becoming almost one at times. This performance was a taster for a new project by Daniel Martinez and the Daniel Martinez Flamenco Company, “Andalucia”, and the full show will be performed at The Usher Hall accompanied by a Chamber Orchestra on Wednesday 8 Feb 2023. With this new show, Daniel Martinez is expanding upon his award winning “Art of Believing” work. The second half of the performance was very traditional in format featuring flamenco singing, plus of course more interpretive music and dance from Gabriela Pouso and Daniel Martinez. This show, for me, was a learning experience, a chance to find out more about how singers, dancers and guitarists individually express their own “flamenco spirit”, but also join together to create a performance that is rhythmically mesmerising whilst at the same time telling a story in performance arts. "

Rating: 10 / 10 Share this review:

"What a show! Daniel Martinez Flamenco Company presented The Art Of Believing, and early into the show, the audience suspended their disbelief at the skill and talent each member of the Company demonstrated. The Epstein Theatre was a brilliant setting for the show, small enough for us to feel truly involved in the experience with excellent sound throughout. Daniel Martinez’s flamenco guitar playing was breathtaking, very intense and atmospheric. He sat alone on a chair in the middle of the stage and that was it for the first couple of numbers and that was all that was needed. But then he was joined by two male and female flamenco singers and with rhythmic clapping and heartfelt vocals, if you closed your eyes, you could imagine the sun on your face, blue skies, a cold glass of wine while you surveyed the Spanish countryside. There was also flamenco dancing. Emotional and passionate then lighter and slightly comedic as musicians from the cast joined in. The accompanying two guitarists and an exceptional violinist brought the songs to life with such energy! Daniel didn’t speak too much during the performance but he gave us a little background to the compositions and informed us that the beautiful flamenco dancer was his fiancé. It was pure flamenco at its vibrant and passionate best and I would definitely go to see this again."

Rating: 10 / 10 Share this review:

"Tommy & James speelden op mijn bruiloft. Ik heb alleen maar positieve dingen over hen te zeggen. Vanaf het eerste gesprek met hen tot en met het optreden op de bruiloft was het een absoluut genot. Als je op zoek bent naar een getalenteerde akoestische opstelling, dan zou ik Tommy & James zeker aanbevelen. Ze zijn zo gemakkelijk om mee te werken en maken uw speciale dag gegarandeerd nog specialer. Nogmaals bedankt Tommy & James voor de geweldige interacties en voor jullie mooie optreden tijdens mijn grote dag!"

Rating: 10 / 10 Share this review:

"Es war genau die richtige Entscheidung, dieses Ensemble für unsere Hochzeitsfeier zu engagieren. Alles war auf höchstem Niveau. Unsere Gäste waren begeistert, und auch wir als Veranstalter sind mehr als zufrieden. Der hervorragende Gesang und der stilvolle Klang haben einen bleibenden Eindruck hinterlassen."

Rating: 10 / 10 Share this review:

"Having Cool Reflections perform at our wedding was one of the best decisions we made! Their jazz music created the perfect atmosphere—romantic and intimate during the ceremony, yet lively and celebratory during the reception. Our guests were enchanted by their talent and style, with many saying it was the highlight of the evening. Cool Reflections made our special day unforgettable, and we can’t thank them enough!"

Rating: 10 / 10 Share this review:

"Roger arrived at 3 and didn'tleave till around 6pm and played almost continuously. He played classical, Spanish and more modern pieces, many of which he’d learnt specially for us. The playing was absolutely delightful and fitted in so well with the garden party atmosphere (we were lucky to have glorious weather). People really appreciated his playing and so many people asked me where I had found him. So, thank you very much."

Rating: 10 / 10 Share this review:

"Live jazz trio performance at private wedding ceremony on Hydra island, Greece"

Rating: 10 / 10 Share this review:

"A truly wonderful performance. We were all blown away and keep reminiscing about it."

Rating: 10 / 10 Share this review:

"Great! Super flexible, reliable and friendly. Great voice and outstanding guitar player."

Rating: 10 / 10 Share this review:

"Ricardo Steyer was great. I'm glad I went with him for this event. He was very professional, new the task at hand, and executed. He did a great job of learning the song and tailoring it to the event. It made the turning point of the surprise calling her name out, which made for a great photo moment. I'd definitely use him again in any event. "

Rating: 10 / 10 Share this review:

"John was great to work with and would hands down reccommend him again!!"

Rating: 10 / 10 Share this review:

"I am fortunate to have been introduced to Brendan in Darwin when I was practicing a song I had to sing at an Irish event at The Darwin Entertainment Centre. I had to sing a song in Irish and Brendan accompanied me beautifully on guitar. He worked his magic to make the song ‘Buachaill Ón Éirne’ sound haunting and beautiful. He is an amazing guitarist and anything I’ve ever heard him sing and play has been done exceptionally well. Brendan is an absolute pleasure to be around and brightens up any room. He almost makes his guitar talk. I would highly recommend him to sing and play guitar at any event, be it in the corner of a quiet cafe, in a casual market place, at a corporate dinner or a hell raising session in a pub - to name just a few places. If you choose to hire Brendan, you certainly won’t be disappointed. "

Rating: 10 / 10 Share this review:

"Julian and his duo partner performed at our outdoor wedding dinner in Tossa de Mar. Their harmonies were beautiful, and their music created a relaxed yet romantic mood throughout the evening. It felt so personal and special—just what we had hoped for."

Rating: 10 / 10 Share this review:

"Such lovely words!!! You were the talk of the wedding. I don´t think anyone had been to a wedding before that the guests were dancing before dinner. THANK YOU!!! Your music was stunning xx"

Rating: 10 / 10 Share this review:

"Roger is a very talented, versatile and creative musician."

Rating: 10 / 10 Share this review: