Mar 07, 2013
Festival Day 3 by Assistant to the Editor
Buenos Dias Senoritas, Senoras, Senores y todo. Another 4 hour sleep (at the most but I feel great). Thank you to my body
This day I again meet a person whom I am in awe with. Julio Cesar Oliva from Mexico city; he is a great Mexican guitarist and composer. This man was so relaxed and played music that we would all love, Ballads, Melodies, Big Band, Jazz, Mexican folk, all his own compositions. An excerpt from the program notes “Es compositor de un extenso catalogo de mas de 200 obras para guitarra sola, ensamblas de guitarra y obras para diversos instrumentos”. What captured me was his use of all the notes on the full finger board of his guitar. Most of it played without him looking at his hands. His memory to play the complicated pieces chosen astounded me and to top that off, I talked to him 10 minutes before his 3 hour performance. He had left his play list at his hotel and asked me if I could tell him what he was going to play. I ran back to my seat at the front row and as I ran, the sole on my right shoe came off. Back stage technicians with duct tape helped me out. I gave Julio the program and he thanked me very much. What amazed me is that most maestros would practice their pieces to review before performing. This man played the total evening without making any mistakes flawlessly.
Julio Cesar Oliva
After the concert, I was invited to go for diner to a mouth watering Italian restaurant, Albertos. We had pizza and I was contento and then a plate was put in front of me -Linguine with white wine and cheese sauce and mushrooms. As my plate arrived I was asked how many more cervezas I wanted because it was midnight and the bar would be closing. My annual 7 day visit to the festival -being able to attend master classes, being immersed in the spanish language, meeting new friends and old aquaintences, talking to the greatest guitarists in the world, seeing my special, special Soberanes family and my Compadre Heriberto, having great food together is a true inspiration.
Following are some photos of our social time at the restaurant. The man at the right is the Presidente of the Festival de Guitarra, Marco Vinicio Camacho Garcia with his wife Anait. They were married in December. Juio Cesar Oliva shaking hands with David Russell and Berta Rojas smiling.
Below,Heriberto, Isela and David Russell. In the background is Lulu Lopez a very pretty dentista. She is the novia to Heribertito (Heriberto’s 1st son).
Below, On the right, a great man, Paolo Mello the professor of musicology. He teaches the History and Theory of music at UNAM, the most important University in all of Mexico. He is talking to Julio Cesar Oliva. This evening I talked to Paolo in Spanish. A very intelligent and important man with much knowledge. He was born in Italy
Myself with Daniel Camero Espinoza. He asks “?Colin where is your wife?” He is Director of Academico at The Festival
Rodolfo Perez trying out Julio’s guitar. Rodolfo just finished recording a new cd in Toronto Canada. He is asking me to take photos for the cd cover. We will do in Mazatlan and in return I will have some lessons.
myself with Julio Cesar Oliva. Al Capone photo on wall behind
The end to an unforgettable evening. Two great Maestros
<< Older Posts Home Newer Posts >>
Hmmm Rodolfo has gained a few pounds!!! NO say!!!!!!!
So did you want me to get 2 tickets for Sat. PM here in Mazatlan to listen to Julio Cesar Olivia. Tickets are free!!!!
Also Sunday, Gordon Campbell and the orchestra from Culiacan are playing Bach! They are doing Bach Brandenburg Concert No.5 in D major, Concert in C minor 1060 ( oboe and violin ) and Suite No.2 Piano, flute, violin oboe in B minor……all great but not my favorite flute selections. I know you will be tired but Debra could get the tickets tomorrow..not sure this is fair to the dogs. On the other hand I could go with the foursome and leave you here with the girls!!!!!!!!!!
Hola my love. Yes, lets go to see Juio. Thank you for mentioning it. It is probably open seating. He is a very polite and quiet man and talks about his life softly to the audience so we must sit up front. You will love his music. We must go early to get close seats.I have plugged nose, sore sinuses etc. Bought drugs but wrong type. Much activity for my body re change of pace, eating late. My arm was twisted to go back to Albertos with the group tonight. Ricardo, Berta, Piotre from Russia, David Russel and Maria, Paolo,Chris Lobos, all the event organizers. Again maybe 4 to 5 hours sleep tonight. My body suffers but what fun I am having.. I am very happy and inspired so the body will have to put up with my strong mind. Isela just brought out the tequila. She says they only have legal drugs in her house. Tonight Berta Rojas from Paraguay said to give you her love. Ricardo Gallen says to give you hugs, I met tonight one of the best base players in the world. Chris Lobos plays jazz tomorrow night. Re Sunday if you like , we go. I love Bach.
C
Sorry to hear you are not feeling well. Try and drink lots of water at least.
As to the concert here on Saturday with Julio I just got an email that the tickets were already sold out by last Monday. SOLD out because the the tickets were free I guess. So we will not be going to that event nor will we be going to the Bach concert. You will need to rest before we do anything and get rid of your sinus problem.
Carmeh is doing better but still not eating much.
Hola little “c”
Feel better today. Body catching up. Got 7 hours sleep. (went to bed at 3:30 am). Too bad about Julio.
Blog thougts in progress.
“Big “C”
Grocery list: juice for you, enough for 5 weeks, dish soap – large bottle ( 750 ml ) of the green Axion, 2 TUBS of creme cheese “regular’, Kahlua but if you aren’t going to drink any the get me a bottle of Baileys, the Original kind ( not coffee, not caramel not mint flavored ) some salsa and a package of the thin round bread and bread for you if you want.