About

About This Site

Palabras Flamencas presents a collection of interviews with Spanish flamenco artists and members of the international flamenco community. The conversations feature renowned artists, young professionals, students, and academics. It was created with the support of the Fulbright US Student Program, the Spanish Fulbright Commission, the United States Department of State, and the Fundación Cristina Heeren de Arte Flamenco. Initiated as part of the creator’s study/research work for the Fulbright program, the site presents excerpts of conversations addressing a wide variety of topics impacting flamenco today. These topics include education, talent development, professional work, identity, culture, and more. Supplemental interviews from non-flamenco musicians are included to provide contrast and explore flamenco from the outside in.

The goals of the site are numerous, including personal learning, creating new primary-source information to assist in further research, and paying tribute to those who engage in this growing international art form. A personal, subjective collage, seen through the eyes and perspectives of individual people is emerging piece by piece as the site grows and develops.

Two books influenced this work, Notes and Tones, by jazz drummer Arthur Taylor, and Conversations with Picasso, by art photographer Brassaï. Taylor’s book was published in 1977 and presents a series of musician-to-musician interviews, providing a look into the lives and culture of 20th century jazz artists. Brassaï’s work from 1966 is similar. Over the course of many years, he documented and recorded conversations with the great Pablo Picasso. It is a vivid, unorthodox view, presented in words, of one of history’s greatest creators.

About This Site’s Creator

Gustavo Alonso López is a musician, architect, and independent researcher from the United States. He moved from Seattle, Washington, to Sevilla, Spain, after being awarded a Fulbright study/research fellowship in 2017 and now resides in Walla Walla, WA. His three-part project included instrument training, conducting artist interviews, and preparing material for new original music.

Gustavo extends his gratitude to many people for all the support he’s received on this and prior projects, most importantly his family and friends. Special thanks are given to the Spanish Fulbright Commission, Pepa Sánchez of the Fundación Cristina Heeren, Dr. Brian Chin of Seattle Pacific University, Michael Connolly of Empty Sea Studios, and guitarist Calvin Hazen.  Lastly, Gustavo thanks all the artists featured on this site for making this project come to life. Thank you for your time, patience, trust, and insight. Thank you for your words and especially for your art. Please keep doing what you do and keep making the best flamenco you can.

Disclaimer 1: The site/blog Palabras Flamencas (palabrasflamencas.com) is not an official site of the Fulbright Program, the U.S. Department of State, or the Fundación Cristina Heeren de Arte Flamenco.  The views expressed are entirely those of the interviewees/artists featured herein and/or the site creator’s. They do not represent the views of the Fulbright Program, the U.S. Department of State, the Fundación Cristina Heeren de Arte Flamenco, or any of their partner organizations.   

Disclaimer 2: Much of the site’s contents are translated from the original in Spanish. The English version is for informational purposes only and intends to convey ideas as faithfully as possible. In case of discrepancy, the original Spanish version will prevail.