The Guitars of Spain – Global Spanish Guitar

Description

Carlo Basile (www.carlobasileguitar.com) has travelled to over 40 countries to study, perform and teach Spanish guitar styles with a global influence. Carlo has received numerous awards and grants along the way to his bringing a message of collectiveness and cultural unity. Carlo has composed award winning music for Spanish style guitar (and dance) which reflect the diversity of his travels and tell a story of his Spanish, Arabic, Indian, West African and Americana influences. 

Work Sample

"Spanish Guitar Duo" (2016) 3:07 - This is a demo video created to put in context two original pieces of music composed by Spanish style guitarists, Carlo Basile and Diego Alonso. Chinese erhu is performed by Chihsuan Yang on this video as well. This demo also demonstrates an artistic cultural and global curiosity which forms the foundation for much of the work presented here.

"Malifarka" (2022) 3:49 - This is a demo video featuring an original composition by Carlo Basile and guest, slide guitarist, Fran Banish. It is an example of a fusion of styles which begins with a combination of Spanish and African style guitar techniques. The piece is a tribute to Mali blues guitar great , Ali Farka Toure. The addition of an "Americana" blues slide guitar technique by Fran Banish completes to journey back to Chicago. This music was influenced by trips to Mali and Senegal in 2004 and 2019. 

"Spanish Guitar Trio" (2019) 4:41 - Here is a demo video featuring more Spanish specific music and dance with guitarist/vocalist, Diego Alonso and flamenco dancer, Leticia Aravena. "Sevilla" is an original composition by Carlo Basile in the traditional Sevillana form. Also, featured are Cuban influenced pieces in the Rumba and Guajiras forms. This video was also created to demonstrate the ability of these artists to lecture on the materials presented .

The sampled work is a very good example of the materials I create through my travels, studies and collaborations. Most of what I produce and perform comes about this way. 

History

Carlo Basile was born and raised in Chicago. He has a unique connection to the City’s cultural roots having grown up listening and studying “Blues” and “Rock” music. As well he as a deep knowledge of the Chicago Parks and the City’s many neighborhoods from his social work background at the Juvenile Court of Cook County. Carlo received scholarships for his classical guitar work as a Graduate Student. He later studied Spanish flamenco guitar in Cordoba, Spain. Carlo’s ensembles have released 6 albums to critical acclaim and have performed to sold out audiences at premier venues in Chicago (The Hothouse, The Old Town School, Instituto Cervantes, The Chicago Cultural Center) and the Midwest (including performances for all major festivals). Carlo has taught Spanish guitar workshops in Vietnam, Thailand, and the Philippines. He has performed in Spain, Cuba, Mexico, Taiwan, Vietnam, Costa Rica, Canada and Senegal.  In 2021, Carlo co-wrote music with Juan Dies influenced by issues of the pandemic and social justice. Carlo also organized and led a tour to Oaxaca City, Huajuapan de Leon and surrounding pueblos in the state. Although the Covid pandemic changed the original plans, the tour was successful in reaching out to those most in need. 

Artistic Vision

Curiosity is the foundation for my work. Instead of showing fear of "the other," I thought to just be curious, to leave comfort zones, to take risks and see what might be revealed. So, I have used this approach in my 30 years of travels to study, perform and teach music in over 40 countries. 

Programs for Specific Audience(s) Expertise

I have worked well in workshop and lecture settings for elementary, high school and university students in the US and abroad. I also curate programs for patients and staff at the University of Chicago Hospital as this program has continued for over 10 years. I work with a number of senior centers in the Chicago area. I continue to produce concert and festival performances for general audiences in renown performing arts venues locally, regionally and nationally. 

Traditional Folk/Ethnic Artform Statement

So, I feel like I began playing rock and Chicago style blues and R&B (my hometown music) but I branched out in a Spanish guitar style through my studies in the US and in Spain. Finally, I incorporated elements of Indian, African and Arabic styles in to my playing and performances. I do feel equally comfortable in front of English and Spanish speaking audiences. I also feel fine with a more diverse audience. My background in social work helps me to connect with the various cultures and the wonderful diversity in the Chicago area especially. I used this Global Spanish guitar concept to create "music fusion collaboration" performances which reflect the cultural diversity of patients and staff at the University of Chicago Hospital Healing Arts Music series.