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Simon el Rubio is an unusual person. Both a dancer and guitarist, he grew up in the theatrical environment of his parents, both Royal Ballet dancers. As a boy he studied violin and piano and then graduated onto flamenco guitar to suit more his bohemian temperament.

Musically his early years were spent absorbing the musical traditions in various countries where he lived - Iran, Czechoslovakia, England, Germany, Italy, Morocco and Spain, while assimilating traditional school studies. But even free lessons as a boy with a lead violinist from the Royal Philharmonic Orchestra could not deflect him from the flamenco guitar. The thumbnail gave him away. Eventually (while also studying flamenco dance) he pursued fairly piecemeal studies with various top guitarists including Paco Peña, Mario Escudero, Serranito, Manolo Sanlucar, Vicente Amigo, Paco Serrano and others. He subsequently spent long periods in the Peña Flamenca de Estepona (Málaga), where he intensified both playing and dancing abilities. This was his formation ground with grassroots singers and other guitarists (such as Jose Fernandez, Javier Jimeno, Gaspar Rodriguez, Daniel Casares...) He used to work out falsetas for his guitarist to play for his dancing.... and so in this way his dance group was originally formed. It also gave him a very thorough understanding of flamenco. For many years he has lived in Jerez de la Frontera, mixing with local flamencos on a daily basis, creating new shows, performing (as a guitarist and dancer) as well as teaching. Yet his preferred guitar environment is an impromptu flamenco session with singer and aficionados in a typical bodega bar in Jerez or surrounding village... such as the "Cerro del Arte" tucked away in a vineyard behind Jerez where flamencos gather for the local mosto.

He plays very precise and rhythmical guitar with much staccato style (like Morón but also Jerez in flavour) and has excellent improvisational compás. (In the photo, Gonzalo de Jerez, Simon el Rubio and Ersantos)

Flamenco guitar classes given one to one - please enquire

COURSES 2011
2012

Simon el Rubio's Flamenco course in VEJER de la FRONTERA organised by Art House Holidays.

please email for inscription and more details
also courses in creative writing, poetry and film studies combined with the flamenco experience!

with singer Salmonete (Jerez)

with singer Juan de Marquez

with Gonzalo de Jerez and Paquito de Jerez

Concert click here to violin

Simon dancing with guitar in hand...

with singer Jaime Villar de Jerez

with guitar maestro Manolo Sanlucar

with singers Jose de la Tomasa and Jose Merce in the 1980s

"Maestro Simon. Ya hacia tiempo que no pasaba un rato tan flamenco, y con tanta perfeccion. Y debes saber que todo estuvo fundamentado por tu acoplada y embrujada “bajañí”, fue inmenso...genial" Domingo Rosado flamencologist , poet and singing teacher in Jerez de la Frontera

2008 Domingo Rosado

performance in London at the Peña Flamenca de Londres with Gonzalo de Jerez and group.

in the Peña Flamenca La Zua (Jerez de la Frontera)

with guitarist Jose Luis Balao in Jerez

performance in Puerto Santa Maria (2010) with Antonio Hoyos (singer) and Sophia (violin)

Guitarist Paquito de jerez and Simon el Rubio

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flamenco guitarists: learn to accompany a singer (email for classes)