Gilberto Martinez │ Classical Guitarist

In this edition of Heart Of The Guitar I am featuring a rare video of Gilberto Martinez, a classical guitarist from Hawaii.  He performed professionally as a classical guitarist in Waikiki, Hawaii for over 25 years.  He recorded two record albums.  They were released in 1973 and 1977 respectively.  You can still them find them on Ebay, but they are rather pricey.  Gilberto's playing style is rather unique, in that you can hear three distinctive parts in his arrangements at all times.  You hear the melody, harmony, and a constant bass line.  It's that base line that makes Gilberto stand out among all the other solo guitar players in the world.  No other classical guitarist has been able to recreate that effect consistently in their playing or arrangements.  By-the-way, Gilberto creates all his own arrangements.  Gilberto's extensive use of the "rest stroke" brings out, and makes his melodies soar, almost like the guitar is singing.  The photo of Gilberto above this post is the actual cover of his guitar book "Guitar Moods" that was published by Charles Hansen Music & Books in 1974.  The video below was recorded live at the New Otani Kaimana Beach Hotel, Hau Tree Lanai in Waikiki in 1987.  Here is a list of the songs in the video:
 
1. Girl From Ipanema
2. Moonlight Sonata
3. Manhã de Carnaval
4. Empty Chairs
5. Don't Cry For Me Argentina
6. Misirlou
7. Corcovado
8. Bachianinha
9. Meditation
10. Brazil
11. A Felicidade
12. Hava Nagila
13. If I Were A Rich Man
14. Pachelbel's Canon
15. Wave
16. Somewhere In Time
17. São Demais Os Perigos Desta Vida
18. At Seventeen
19. Love's Been Good To Me
20. Consolação

He is now retired, and lives in seclusion in Hilo, Hawaii.  On August 17, 2024, Gilberto suffered a major heart attack, and was in the Hilo Benioff Medical Center for three days following heart surgery.  He is now recuperating at home after a second heart surgery that was performed on September 6, 2024. Safe journeys to all the fans of Heart Of The Guitar, wherever you may be. 

Miguel Alcaide │ The Greatest Guitarist Of The Twentieth Century

Miguel Angel Santiago Alcaide, is without any doubt, the greatest guitarist of the twentieth century.  He was born on November 13, 1934, in Hatillo, Puerto Rico.  It was noticed from a very young age that Miguel had extraordinary musical talents.  He started to perform professionally at the young age of fourteen, and the rest, as they say is history.  What makes this story so astonishing though, is that Miguel was completely self-taught on the guitar.  When Andres Segovia visited Puerto Rico in the 1950s he asked specifically for Miguel to play for him.  Segovia was so impressed with Miguel that he offered him an all expenses paid scholarship to study with the maestro in Spain.  Regretfully Miguel had to decline as he was already supporting his family by playing music professionally.  I had the great privilege to have had extended telephone conversations with Miguel in the early 1980s.   I sent him a copy of my latest guitar album, and Miguel responded by sending me one of his.  It was from these conversations that I learned that Miguel was not able to read, or write music.  This certainly was not a handicap to Miguel in his long and illustrious career.  In the mid 1980s Miguel suffered from severe medical problems, and succumbed to cirrhosis of the liver due to chronic alcoholism.  Miguel died in the Rio Piedras Medical Center, on July 25, 1988 at the relatively young age of fifty-four.  I still mourn for Miguel, and I cannot help but weep whenever I hear his beautiful music.  We will never see a guitarist like him ever again.  Miguel was in a class all of his own.  He was buried in the old cemetery in Rio Piedras, however, his remains were later moved to his hometown of Hatillo, and re-interred  in the Pantheon of the Illustrious Hatillanos, on July 25, 1990.  In that cemetery there is a beautiful statue of Miguel holding his beloved guitar.  The monument was designed by Chiqui Moreno.  In this edition of Heart Of The Guitar I am featuring Miguel Alcaide in a cool selection of songs.  The topmost video was recorded in the late 1950s and features Miguel with the musical group Trio Los Borincanos.  That group later renamed themselves to The Four Amigos.  The members of the group were, Pedro Berrios, the late German Salinas, José (Guito) Vadis, and of course, Miguel Alcaide.  They play three selections:  "Love Is a Many Splendored Thing", the tango "Jealousy" with Miguel playing a solo guitar , and the American pop-classic "Mr. Sandman".  The guitar solo that Miguel does in the middle of "Love Is A Many Splendored Thing" is totally out of this world.  The next video features the reconstituted Trio Los Borincanos, with Papo Valle as the lead singer, Jorge Julia second voice and guitar, and Miguel Alcaide playing the requinto.  They perform "Los Ejes De Mi Carreta (The Axles Of My Cart)", that was written by Argentinian composer Atahualpa Yupanqui.  Safe journeys to all the fans of Heart Of The Guitar, wherever you may be.

Amós Lora │ Entre Dos Aguas

In this edition of Heart Of The Guitar we are featuring flamenco guitarist Amós Lora, who was born in Madrid, Spain on September 9, 1999.  Amós is a wonderful guitarist, and he has a very bright future ahead of him in the entertainment world.  In the video widget below he plays the incredibly difficult "Entre Dos Aguas (In Mid-Water)" that was composed by the great Paco de Lucia.  I could not help but notice Amós' very disciplined right hand.  It is so good that he make playing fast notes look so easy.  Amós is obviously having a very good time playing his guitar.  By-the-way, I really like his beatific smile.  What more can I say but, olé!  Safe journeys to all the fans of Heart Of The Guitar, wherever you may be.

Edwin Colón Zayas │ The Master Cuatro Player From Puerto Rico

Edwin Colón Zayas is the best cuatro player on this Planet Earth.  No one even comes close to his supernatural, and preternatural talents.  The cuatro is the national instrument of Puerto Rico and it is used very often in Jibaro ensembles.  Edwin was born on October 27, 1965 in Orocovis, Puerto Rico.  He is the eldest son of a family of five musicians.  Edwin was responsible for saving the cuatro in the 1970s and 1980s, when it had fallen out of musical favor, and its very existence was being threatened.  To listen and watch Edwin play the cuatro is pure magic.  His left hand moves so gracefully that it is almost like a dance. In this edition of Heart Of The Guitar I am featuring Edwin Colón Zayas performing in two wonderful videos.  Safe journeys to all the fans of Heart Of The Guitar, wherever you may be.

Concierto de Aranjuez │ Julian Bream

The "Concerto de Aranjuez" by Joaquín Rodrigo is probably the most well-known piece in the repertoire of the classical guitar, and has been interpreted in many different ways.  It was premiered on November 9, 1940 by guitarist Regino Sainz de la Maza in Barcelona, Spain.  The "Concerto de Aranjuez", was composed specifically for him.  In my opinion, British guitarist Julian Bream's interpretation of "Concerto de Aranjuez" is the best.  Safe journeys to all the fans of Heart Of The Guitar, wherever you may be.

Samba Triste │ Baden Powell de Aquino

The magnificent Baden Powell de Aquino, was one of the best guitarist ever to come out of Brazil.  In his guitar playing he incorporated many different styles such as the traditional Choro, Samba, Bossa Nova, Classical Guitar, and Jazz Samba.  This made him the most eclectic guitarist who ever lived on this Planet Earth.  My introduction to Baden Powell came in the very early seventies when I heard a recording of him playing "Samba Triste", which he co-wrote with lyricist Billy Blanco.  I was hooked on his music and played many of his compositions when I was an active classical guitarist in Waikiki, Hawaii.  In this edition of Heart Of The Guitar we are presenting a very early video of Baden performing "Samba Triste" live in a European concert.  Take notice of the incredible Bachian rifts that he executes in the middle of "Samba Triste".  Baden Powell ceased his earthly existence on September 26, 2000, in Rio de Janeiro.  Eu tenho muito saudade para Baden Powell.  Safe journeys to all the fans of Heart Of The Guitar, wherever you may be.

Laurindo Almeida │ One Note Samba

Laurindo Almeida was born in São Paulo, Brazil on September 2, 1917.  He was one of the very early exponents of the Brazilian Bossa Nova.  I have been a big fan of Laurindo for a long time.  He had an very light touch when he plucked the guitar strings.  His playing always seemed so magical to me.  Laurindo passed away on July 26, 1995, Van Nuys, California.  In this edition of Heart Of The Guitar we are featuring Laurindo playing "One Note Samba", that was composed by Antonio Carlos Jobim.  Needless to say, this is the best performance and arrangement of "One Note Samba" on this Planet Earth.  Enjoy!  Safe journeys to all the fans of Heart Of The Guitar, wherever you may be.