Edito de EsmeraldaAbout/Education Robert Boyd, is Santa Barbara?s own premiere Flamenco guitarist/composer. He is one of the rare and few Americans who has dedicated his musical dreams and professional career to the art of Flamenco and is recognized as one of the top composers of Flamenco music in the United States. Born into a family of artists, which includes famed lead singer Brandon Boyd of the multi-platinum band Incubus, Robert began his musical training at age five and has been studying guitar for 20 years. A rigorous musician and careful researcher, he has studied in Spain with some of the world?s finest virtuosos such as: José Luis Rodriguez (musical director for the ballet of Cristina Hoyos), Guillermo Rios (guitarist for the infamous Flamenco company of Jose Greco), Gerardo Nuñez, and Jesus Montoya. In the United States, Robert has attended and participated in master classes with Pepe Romero, Manuel Barrueco, Paco Jarana (musical director for Eva La Yerbabuena), Gaspar Rodriguez (musical director for the National Ballet of Spain), and Rafael Montilla (guitarist with the company of Paco Peña). Additionally, he has studied extensively with the acclaimed guitarist and composer Adam Del Monte. He has also studied Music Theory, Analysis, and Composition with Dr. Burns Taft (conductor of the Ventura Master Chorale and artistic director of the Ventura Chamber Music Festival), composition with Miguel del Aguila, Brazilian Jazz with Chris Judge, and Classical Guitar with Dmitri Diatchenko, James Edwards, Matt Grief, and Carlos Gonzales. Professional Experience Currently, Robert is the featured solo guitarist at Bacara Resort & Spa in Goleta, Ca. He has appeared in numerous concert venues throughout the U.S. as a soloist and accompanist. He is the musical director of ?Arte y Pasión? Flamenco Music and Dance Company which consists of two guitars, four dancers, singer, flute, fretless bass, Indian tablas, and cajon. In 2003, he was invited as the featured soloist of the 7th annual world concert series in Mendocino, Ca. He was the musical director for the 2004 production of ?Flamenco Hoy y Mañana? with Linda Vega?s company ?Danzas de España?. In 2005, Robert was the musical director for two large performances at the S.B?s Historical ?Sunken Gardens? entitled; ?The Painting Comes To Life?. His company ?Arte y Pasion? has premiered the two productions ?Alma Flamenca? and ?Berto y Flamenco Vivo? at the Center Stage Theater and the Unitarian Society of Santa Barbara and ?Flamenco en Concierto? at the Fountain Theater in Hollywood. Robert?s renowned ability for creating an unequaled ambience for private parties and house concerts has made him a sought out performer throughout the United States. Among the many celebrities he has entertained are: Barbara Streisand, Peter Gallagher, Dennis Miller, Ted Danson, Diane Lane, Josh Brolin, Alanis Morrisette, Katie Holmes, Matt Leblanc, Tim Allen, Brooke Shields, Jamie Lee Curtis, Roseanne Barr, Alicia Moore a.k.a. ?Pink?, Jason Statham, George Thorogood, and Troy Aikman. Projects In 2000 Robert started ?Duggeda Publications? in hopes of publishing some of his many transcriptions and arrangements of flamenco guitar music. So far ?Tres Piezas Flamencas? is the only book that got published with his busy performance schedule. In 2003, Robert met the renowned Flamenco guitarist and musical director for Cristina Hoyos, José Luis Rodriguez. Upon discovering Robert?s talents for composition and transcription, José Luis bestowed unto Robert the enormous task of transcribing all of the compositions that will be on his debut solo CD. The plans are to publish a book of music from this incredible artist from Huelva, Spain. Additionally, Robert is composing music for his second CD and for his music and dance company ?Arte y Pasión?. Guitars Robert performs with guitars created by Bruce F. Wood of Santa Barbara, CA and Pedro Maldonado from Malaga, Spain. "... a commanding performance... dispatching each virtuosic work with panache and an unerring sense of style... an extremely polished and satisfying recital". Bruce F. Wood - Southern California Classical Guitar Society "Robert Boyd is one of those musicians who, while not deliberately setting out to 'wow' the audience, succeeds in doing just that... the whole concert was consumed as a glass of sparkling water on a hot summer's night".Scott Topper - Fox 11 news "The evocative sound of Boyd's guitar transported the audience to the mountains of Southern Spain".Felicia Tomasko - The Santa Barbara Independent "He is a very technically gifted, entertaining performer with a style that is fast, fluid and musical".James Edwards - guitar department chairman / Cal Poly University "an expressive, skillful, impeccable performance, tailored to increase our depth of appreciation and love for the Spanish guitar" Thea Lignos - Your Wedding Day Magazine/ Ojai Valley Newspaper Cd info: ESMERALDA, the Spanish word for emerald inspires our imagination. It deeply green, rare and valuable gemstone evokes images of searching in unfamiliar places for something eternally beautiful. Yet, to find this elusive treasure we must be true to what we personally believe is the best way to its' attainment. On this recording, Berto shows his musical personality and depth. Honoring the flamenco tradition, he has arranged his pieces to include instruments which enhance the beautiful melodies and bring up the clarity of form. Using a variety of percussion instruments, fretless bass and even the flugelhorn, Boyd has chosen his instrumentation tastefully and consistently. His festive rumbas are just that: music that makes us move and laugh. The more somber mineras "A Mi Padre" brings us beauty of line and a solid compositional fabric. One is reminded of the words of the great cellist, Pablo Casales, "The best technique is that which is not noticed at all". These days, confusion reigns and the label "flamenco" is applied loosely to whatever by-product, his album "Esmeralda" makes a contribution to the dignity and centrality of the guitar. ESMERALDA, invites the listener on a fresh and heartfelt journey into the ever-changing and limitless world of today's flamenco music. With the enormous proliferation of superficial, nouveau flamenco nonsense available on every shelf, Robert Boyd's "Esmeralda" feels like a tall glass of cool water on a hot day, and a rare, peaceful view of a sparkling emerald. Lire la suite