Interviews with Artists

Mercedes Ruíz ~ The Second Series: Part 1

In April I interviewed Mercedes for this second series.  At the time of the interview she was finally feeling better after ten days of being sick, really sick. It’s been waiting to be published.  And now that I’m here in Jerez, it feels like the right time. Especially after last night.  When Mercedes danced in a [...]

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It’s my Language ~ Perico Navarro, one more interview

It’s the final installment of the interview series with Perico Navarro.  Today he shares some advice for all students, talks about what inspires him, talks about the role of cajón in Jerez, and tells us how he feels about audiences in Jerez and beyond.  If you missed  the previous segments and want to catch up, [...]

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Perico Navarro ~ the next interview

It’s more from Perico Navarro.  You can catch the previous segment here. Today’s interview, I have to warn you, gets a bit technical.  But just keep reading, I think you’ll be glad you did.  Pedro talks about outside influences, playing with incredible artists - You’ll see an great video of him playing with El Torta and Jesús [...]

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Pedro with the Kind Eyes ~ an Interview with Perico

Perico Navarro. I’ve mentioned him before. Should you ever meet him you’ll see what I mean about his eyes. And you’ll see that he’s nice, so nice.  I mean it, súper simpatico. I interviewed him last fall in Jerez.  That’s where he’s from.  You can read the first segment here where he shares some thoughts on bulerías. Today [...]

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Ricardo López is a Regular Guy

Sometimes we joke around in class about Ricardo Not behind his back, don’t worry.  We do it both when he’s here and when he’s not.  We pretend we’re him, and we walk around with intense looks on our faces, vigilando. Other times we just pretend he’s there in the room with us, looking like he [...]

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Mercedes Ruíz and Bulerías

En continuación… (of the bulerías series, the little goodbye to Jerez) A few words from Mercedes Ruíz on bulerías. What does she like about it? ¿Qué es lo que te gusta de la bulería? A mí me gusta porque es un palo muy festero y que puedo improvisar mucho. She likes that it is a festive [...]

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A Brief Chat about Bulerías with Perico…with video

I mentioned that we’d hear from Perico Navarro today.  He plays cajón for Mercedes, and for lots of other people too.  Paco Cepero, Miguel Poveda, Jesus Mendez.  He played for Moraito Chico… For some really incredible artists. I spoke with him last week about his life as a flamenco percussionist.  You can read all about that here [...]

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I am a Person Who Does Her Own Thing – Mercedes Ruíz | The Fifth Interview

Ok, so it’s the final interview with Mercedes…for now that is.  And today we get into some of the nitty-gritty. Earlier Mercedes told me that she encountered a lot of problems on her way to becoming a flamenco dancer. This got me thinking.  Wondering about those obstacles and what they were.  But more importantly, wondering about [...]

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Your Questions Answered … Mercedes Ruíz | The Fourth Interview

This month I’ve been talking to Mercedes Ruíz.  And asking her about lots of stuff.  Today the questions came from you, the readers.  Thanks for these.   Getting Personal Mercedes had some beautiful things to say about how motherhood has affected her dancing.  You can read about it here.  This following series of questions came [...]

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Students, for you… Mercedes Ruíz | The Third Interview – La Tercera Entrevista

And the third installment of interviews with Mercedes. If you missed our previous conversations, you can find one here and the other one one here. Today we find out about her family’s response to her dancing.  She comes from a non-flamenco family.  And we learn why she loves to teach.  Enjoy. A lone flamenca in the [...]

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