|
We connect you with the best talents, celebrities and businesses in the world.
Our recommendation is based on our own best experiences. Happy reading! |
I am meeting today with one of Australian best spanish guitarist and singer who is loved not only in the down-under land but much also appreciated in Europe and in Japan for his sensational voice and god-like guitar skills. Juan kindly agreed to answer our questions today.
Introduction.
Dear Juan, your guitar, you music and your singing is more than a fine art of one of the most talented spanish culture and traditions devoted man we ever came across with. That would be not enough to mention as you are also a great entertainer - your stories that accompany your sensational performances are legendary indeed and some of our guests know them by heart. Please tell us a little bit about yourself.
Q1. You were born in Madrid with was and still is Spanish capital. I was once told that every one plays guitar and dances in Madrid. Is it true? Did you go to school to study music and singing?
JM: I was born in Madrid and came to Australia when I was very young. i first started playing the guitar because my father played the guitar and that was just a family activity. other fathers and sons would through a football to each other, my father and i would play guitars. i did not attend any formal training as flamenco is not learnt this way traditionally. its an art that is passed down to you from father or uncle or even a friend of your family.
Q2. How long have you been writing music and singing for?
JM: I have been playing the guitar ever since i remember as i was very young when my father first put my little fingers on my first chord. Later at age 13 a friend of our family, who in his youth learnt from the legendary Nino Ricardo, showed me how to play Flamenco guitar which is quite a discipline.
Introduction.
Dear Juan, your guitar, you music and your singing is more than a fine art of one of the most talented spanish culture and traditions devoted man we ever came across with. That would be not enough to mention as you are also a great entertainer - your stories that accompany your sensational performances are legendary indeed and some of our guests know them by heart. Please tell us a little bit about yourself.
Q1. You were born in Madrid with was and still is Spanish capital. I was once told that every one plays guitar and dances in Madrid. Is it true? Did you go to school to study music and singing?
JM: I was born in Madrid and came to Australia when I was very young. i first started playing the guitar because my father played the guitar and that was just a family activity. other fathers and sons would through a football to each other, my father and i would play guitars. i did not attend any formal training as flamenco is not learnt this way traditionally. its an art that is passed down to you from father or uncle or even a friend of your family.
Q2. How long have you been writing music and singing for?
JM: I have been playing the guitar ever since i remember as i was very young when my father first put my little fingers on my first chord. Later at age 13 a friend of our family, who in his youth learnt from the legendary Nino Ricardo, showed me how to play Flamenco guitar which is quite a discipline.
photo by Cameron Douglas
Q3. How would you describe your singing and music style? Do you sing and play only Spanish music and songs?
JM: I can’t really say much about my singing as i don’t see myself as a singer and haven’t really worked on that at all.I just use that as an edge to entertain.
Q4. I heard that everything in life inspires Spanish people to dance and sing (desert sand, sun, sky, trees and evn grasshoppers) but what inspires you the most in life?JM: Flamenco is a way of life to Flamencos. To me Flamenco is the people have grown up in that way of life and express it singing, dancing playing guitar or any instrument really.
Q5. What is your favourite musical instrument to play on apart from guitar?
JM: I don’t really have a favourite instrument but the purist instrument, i think, is the voice.
JM: I can’t really say much about my singing as i don’t see myself as a singer and haven’t really worked on that at all.I just use that as an edge to entertain.
Q4. I heard that everything in life inspires Spanish people to dance and sing (desert sand, sun, sky, trees and evn grasshoppers) but what inspires you the most in life?JM: Flamenco is a way of life to Flamencos. To me Flamenco is the people have grown up in that way of life and express it singing, dancing playing guitar or any instrument really.
Q5. What is your favourite musical instrument to play on apart from guitar?
JM: I don’t really have a favourite instrument but the purist instrument, i think, is the voice.
|
|
|
photos by Cameron Douglas
Q8. Do you find it challenging to find time you have to divide between for your work and your family/your wife/your love/your kids?
JM: With the right person in my life it is no problem to do what i have to do to get where I want to go. There is a saying that says “ behind every great man there is a great woman”.
Q10. What was your most memorable time in your spiritual/artistic journey and why?
JM: It can take a lifetime to find ones self and express this with your art and i have not yet achieved this. It is what many artists are working for.
JM: With the right person in my life it is no problem to do what i have to do to get where I want to go. There is a saying that says “ behind every great man there is a great woman”.
Q10. What was your most memorable time in your spiritual/artistic journey and why?
JM: It can take a lifetime to find ones self and express this with your art and i have not yet achieved this. It is what many artists are working for.
|
|
|
photos by Cameron Douglas
video by Amelia Zimmerman
video by Amelia Zimmerman
Q13. Please tell us the name of the first famous musician/song writer/singer that comes to your mind and why? Is he/she the one who gives you inspiration and why?JM: I have always followed the music of Paco de Lucia as have many flamenco guitarists. It was a massive blow to us when he died on 26 Feb this year. his music and his way of playing it is what gave me my purpose in life.
Q14. What are the ways you market yourself and your music apart from good word of mouth?
JM: I have a website up but it is a work in progress www.juanmartinezortega.com
Q14. What are the ways you market yourself and your music apart from good word of mouth?
JM: I have a website up but it is a work in progress www.juanmartinezortega.com
|
|
|
Q17. Is there something that you are still learning?
JM: As a musician I can say learning never stops.
Q18. What or who is the greatest love of your life?
JM: My wife and my family.
JM: As a musician I can say learning never stops.
Q18. What or who is the greatest love of your life?
JM: My wife and my family.
photos by David Lieu and David Lieu Studios
Q20. Which five words would your friends use to describe you?
JM: Unusual, funny, hairy, friendly, unique
Q21. What would you like to be doing in 2-3 years from now?
JM: Living, breathing eating improving
Q22. If you had one wish…
JM: If i had one wish i would take a long time to decide what to do with it.
JM: Unusual, funny, hairy, friendly, unique
Q21. What would you like to be doing in 2-3 years from now?
JM: Living, breathing eating improving
Q22. If you had one wish…
JM: If i had one wish i would take a long time to decide what to do with it.
photos by David Lieu and David Lieu Studios
Q23. Very funny... Thank you! :)
|
Unique visitors:
|
|
|
|
