2023-07-20 10:30:18
Vicente Amigo at the Théâtre de la Mer, July 19, 2023, as part of the Jazz festival in Sète (Hérault). GRIN PATRICK
Founded and directed by guitarist Louis Martinez, the Jazz festival in Sète (Hérault) aligns stars or promises (Pat Metheny, Stanley Clarke, Madeleine & Salomon), with a special taste for the guitar and related genres. Wednesday, July 19, at 9 p.m., Vicente Amigo takes the stage. Guitarist and composer born March 25, 1967 in Guadalcanal (Andalusia), recognized on the international scene as the worthy successor of Paco de Lucia, face of an angel, immaculate shirt, black vest, he presents himself alone and throws himself into the void. Sound of open-air Stradivarius in the sublime theater open to the sea (cemetery of thousands of migrants, let’s remember in passing), silence instantly spread without the ounce of an injunction, Vicente Amigo opens the party solo. Pure improvisation, on the harmonic grid of truth.
Emaciated face, long very smooth hair, so soft look, Vicente Amigo launches. He seems calm, in control of himself as well as of the universe, at ease Blaise! Well, not at all ! He hasn’t eaten all day. He is consumed with anguish. At the time of the soundcheck (sound and lights adjustment), around 5 p.m., he did not tolerate anyone. He is simply afraid. Fifty-six years it’s been going on. Flamenco!
Moreover, he and his quartet are quite incapable of soundchecking: as long as they “rehearse”, they play for real. And if they play for real, it’s because they are “flamencos”. Vicente Amigo treats the love of his guitar with class, detachment, and this incredible science that would burst rather than appear.
Consumed with anguish
It is possible that when he enters the stage, around 9 p.m., the public assumes that Vicente Amigo launches with ease with his guitar and his so gentle gaze. No way ! Vicente Amigo, award-winning flamenco for thirty years, guitarist recognized by his family (essential), is, at the time of the entrance on stage, devoured with anguish. His angelic face with a medallion profile does not betray him. He plays as if he were naked. It crosses all moods and three stormy skies. Falls in the blink of an eye on a delicate melody. Is unleashed with unbridled joy, as if participating in the festival of Arcos de la Frontera (Andalusia), on a night in August.
His host is Louis Martinez, founder and programmer of Jazz in Sète. A guitarist too, Louis Martinez has already programmed it twice in Sète. Vicente Amigo is the most prominent flamenco of the time: companion of the legendary Camaron de la Isla (1950-1992), partner of Manolo Sanlucar (1943-2022), José Mercé, Enrique Morente (1942-2010) or Carmen Linares, he is the author of surprising pieces: a concerto for flamenco guitar and symphony orchestra (Cordoba); an album dedicated to the poet Rafael Alberti. Vicente Amigo confirms that flamencos have never been what they are reduced to.
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