Review: ADELAIDE GUITAR FESTIVAL 2016: BANDALUZIA: COOPERS LATE NIGHT SESSIONS Electrified The Space Theatre

Reviewed by Barry Lenny, Thursday 11th August 2016

Guitarist, Damian Wright, leads the contemporary Flamenco group, Bandaluzia, with Ben Hauptmann on guitar, James Hauptmann on Cajon and snare drum played with brushes, and two exciting dancers, Jessica Statham and Rosalie Cocchiaro. With the Space Theatre arranged in cabaret format, and packed with enthusiastic patrons, they were the opening night group for the series of Cooper's Late Night Sessions.

Although this is the Adelaide Guitar Festival, it would not be a Flamenco performance with just the one guitarist playing. Flamenco is a package deal and relies on all of the aural and visual elements, including the palmas, the complex rhythmic hand clapping performed by the dancers when not dancing, which adds to the percussion, as do the sounds of the dancers' feet.

Although they play a modern style, their music is strongly based in the traditions of Andalusia and, after a thrilling opening piece, they turned to a traditional Malagueña form, folk music from Málaga, which grew out of the Fandango.

Wright's dexterity and passion were to the fore in this performance, working towards creating what is known as duende, a spiritual link established between the performers and the audience through their commitment to their music and dance. There was certainly a strong connection in this performance.

The musicians in this group are all at the top of their respective arts, and have impressive credentials, and they are matched by the two dancers, each of whom had opportunities to dance alone and together. This was a fine way to spend an evening and the audience were greatly appreciative. It is to be hoped that we see more of this Australian group here in Adelaide.

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