Marylin Márquez, "Naíto," Ginette and Mateo. May 23, 2008 (photo by Hector Márquez)

"Naíto," Ginette, Mateo and Hector about to go onstage. May 23, 2008 (photo by Marylin Márquez)

I'm half-jokingly calling them los jovenes flamencos (which translates as "the young flamencos). Don't take my labeling of them too seriously. It just so happens that all of them are in their early 20's. They're the product of a new generation of flamencos who have access to all kinds of learning materials in the form of CD's, DVD's, books, videos on YouTube, online discussion forums, workshops from local and international flamencos etc.

Hector opening the concert with a mineras. May 23, 2008 (photo by Marylin Márquez)

Don't get me wrong. Having these educational sources readily available doesn't magically transform you into an expert in flamenco. You still have to put in the years studying, practicing and getting the experience onstage. As for the artists pictured in this blog entry: I've been working with Ginette in DC area tablaos since January 2004. Hector and Mateo have been joining me in my shows at Cafe Citron, Las Tapas, Cabanas and Tapeo during the past year or so.

"Naíto" and Hector in alegrías. May 23, 2008 (photo by Marylin Márquez)

As local younger singers such as José Oretea, Carton Ashton and now Hector Márquez and "Naíto" learn more and more on-the-job how to work with dancers, we can expect to have a larger pool of singers to call upon for flamenco performances in the years to come. This is pretty exciting for me as a performing flamenco guitarist because for years, we here in DC have become so accustomed to doing shows in tablaos most of the time (about 90%) without singers!

Mateo on cajón. May 23, 2008 (photo by Marylin Márquez)

Ginette, "Naíto" and Hector. May 23, 2008 (photo by Marylin Márquez)

Hector and Mateo. May 23, 2008 (photo by Marylin Márquez)

Ginette and "Naíto." May 23, 2008 (photo by Marylin Márquez)

Intermission. May 23, 2008 (photo by Marylin Márquez)

Mateo and Hector in soleá. May 23, 2008 (photo by Marylin Márquez)

Ginette and "Naíto." May 23, 2008 (photo by Marylin Márquez)

Performers with the stage crew. May 23, 2008 (photo by Marylin Márquez)

I've been working in the DC flamenco scene for almost 17 years which is long enough for me to see several waves of students become experienced performers (a few of which also become teachers). In fact, one of the new young dancers I'm working with now is the daughter of one of the dancers I used to work with more than 10 years ago!

Flamenco is an art form where you can never stop learning so I'll be studying, practicing and playing the guitar for many years to come. In the meantime, I'm looking forward to seeing what the newer generation has to offer. Any thoughts on what to expect?