Musician - Guitarist - Composer

The music. Tradition - Fusion - Creation

The world is full of music! To embark on a musical journey around the world and enjoy the immense diversity of musical cultures - what could be more exciting? Such a round trip through music is offered by the Graf-Martinez Trio.
Gerhard Graf-Martinez began playing the guitar in the 1960s. He grew into the 1970s: the decade of experimentation, the search for other ways of life, the breaking out of tradition and the opening of the spirit to new things. This also included making foreign cultural influences his own and thus allowing new cultural forms to emerge in his own way. During this time his training on the classical guitar took place. The intensive occupation with other styles such as rock & blues, fingerpicking, folk and bossa nova then finally led him to flamenco. And already during his first stay in Andalusia, the cradle of Flamenco, he realized that it is not just a musical style. Flamenco is an attitude to life!

Already in the 1980s, Graf-Martinez was on the road a lot at home and abroad with his then trio "Modo Nuevo". During this time, he also produced his first LP/CD, which was highly praised by the specialist press. Decades of experience make Graf-Martinez a master of the flamenco guitar. Everything that sounds from his instrument is influenced by this Spanish folk art, which is itself a melting pot of Indian, Arabic-Oriental, Jewish, African and South American elements. Thus, from the diverse music he has been playing for over 50 years, he has created a large chest of drawers into which he can reach at will. The result is timeless world guitar music that is beautiful to listen to.

Gerhard Graf-Martinez

1967 Self-taught and first activities in rock and blues music.1971 Training on classical guitar.

1977 ~ Madrid / Málaga1981 Freelancer (guitar) at SDR Stuttgart.

1982 Founding of Modo Nuevo with Capo Mayer/Michael Kersting.

1983 +1984 Organizer of guitar courses with Andrés Batista.

1984 Member of the "Peña Flamenca Sierra Blanca" Marbella.

1985 -1987 Organizer of the "Curso de la Guitarra Flamenca" in Marbella.

1987 "Modo Nuevo" supporting band of John McLaughlin. Release of the CD/LP "Modo Nuevo ". Interviews and record presentation on various radio stations. TV appearances and GDR tour. Live performance at "Radio Cadena Marbella" (Málaga).

1989 Lecturer at the "Int. Gitarrenwoche" in Lienz (Austria).

1990 Lecturer at the "Int. Gitarrenwoche" Salzburg and Lienz.

1990 -1994 Founder, director and lecturer "Schorndorfer Gitarrentage".

1991 Tours through France, Switzerland, Liechtenstein, Italy, Austria.

1992 Foundation of "Lela de Fuenteprado & Ensemble" 1994 Publication of "Flamenco Guitar School" Volume 1+22000 Publication of Gipsy Guitar- Play-Along-Album dt./engl.

2002 Release of Flamenco Guitar Method Vol 1+2 (engl.)2004 DVD Flamenco Guitar Method Vol 1+2

2005 Comenius-EduMedia award and medal

2006 Serious illness

2008 Release of DVD "Gipsy Guitar - Rumba Flamenca".

2009 Nomination for the "digita" 2009, Comenius-EduMedia award (GPI) for Gipsy Guitar.

2010 Release Logic FlamencoPercusión (software plugin)

2012 Flametro - App. Flamenco Metronome for iPhone & Co.2013 Leader of a flamenco guitar course in Lanjarón (Granada)

2014 Flamenco Guitar Technics Vol. 1, 2 and 3

2014 - 2017 Int. guitar workshop in Schorndorf.

Andy Kemmer

Andy Kemmer is at home in many styles. He plays in various formations and impresses with his brilliant virtuosity and groovy bass sound, whether jazz, Latin, rock or classical. 1981 "Defroster" (Jazzrock, Fusion) 1983 - 2010 "Diva" (Jazzrock) 1983 - 1986 "Modo Nuevo" (Flamenco-Latin) 1991 - 1995 "Acoustic" (Folk, Worldmusic) 1991 - 1994 "Bang Bags" (Pop) 1992 - 1996 "Beauty Fools" (Pop) 1995 - 2002 "Lizard" (Southern Rock) 1997 ~ "Tightrope" (Latin-Blues, Surf & Soul) 2000 ~ "OP3" (Experimental-Jazz and Noise) 2002 ~ "fresh&cool" (Funk/Soul Partyband) 2007 ~ "Poems on The Rocks" (Rock & Lyrics)

José Fortes

Percussion
José Fortes is actually a flamenco dancer. What he can do with his feet, he can also do with his hands on the cajón, a percussion instrument (wooden box) from Peru.
Since 1990 on the road with his own formation "Duende Flamenco". From 1994 participation in the musical "Jaleo Dacarisma", which was awarded the Vic Music Prize in 1998. The CD release of the same name brought the formation to the very big international stages such as RAI Amsterdam, Mercat de les Flors (Barcelona). At the same time, José spent several years on the road with Albert Pla, a Spanish singer-songwriter. In 2000 José Fortes went to Fuerteventura and participated as a flamenco dancer in different ensembles, among others in the "Compañía DeloFlamenco" with Anna Villacampa. In 2009 he was a member of the production "Química", in which jazz, Canarian folklore and flamenco were fused.

The guitarist Gerhard Graf-Martinez, who is successful worldwide due to his multiple award-winning flamenco publications, is back on stage after a long forced break.
Decades of experience make Graf-Martinez a master of the flamenco guitar. Everything that sounds from his instrument is influenced by this Spanish folk art, which is itself a melting pot of Indian, Arabic-Oriental, Jewish, African and South American elements. Thus, from the diverse music he has been playing for over 50 years, he has created a large chest of drawers into which he can reach at will. The result is timeless world guitar music that is beautiful to listen to.

with Gerhard Graf-Martinez
After a break of more than ten years due to illness, the multiple award-winning guitarist and author of worldwide popular guitar textbooks is teaching again. No matter if university, institute, music school or music house - the course, workshop or seminar can be arranged individually.
Offer:
1-day course (Sat. or Sun.) with 6 hours (2 x 3)2-day course (Sat + Sun) with 12 hours ( 4 x 3)multi-day course (teaching units by arrangement).

Beginners

You should have some knowledge of the guitar, i.e. simple strumming and plucking techniques. Knowledge of notation or tablature is an advantage. Flamenco can only be played on nylon string guitars. Please do not bring a steel string guitar.
The basic techniques of the flamenco guitar will be learned. Rasgueado technique ("string rattling"), strumming techniques (especially rumba), right hand strumming and typical flamenco chords.

Advanced

Prerequisite: basic flamenco guitar techniques from my Flamenco Guitar School Volume 1 + (2). Learned a palo (flamenco style), such as Soleá, Alegrías or Bulerías using sheet music/tablature material. Rhythm exercises in alternating time signatures as well as small harmony theory and the Andalusian scale.