| Chus Alonso Artist's Website >> Chus Alonso was born in Zamora, Spain where he played guitar and bandurria and sang in folkloric groups. He also studied classical piano and music theory. When he was 18, he moved to Madrid to study flute and percussion at the Madrid Conservatory. Looking for an alternative education, he studied with Pedro Iturralde, the first Spanish musician who explored the fusion between flamenco and jazz. Later, in Barcelona, he studied with internationally recognized jazz composers and arrangers such as Thad Jones and Chuck Israels. He also played Latin music guided by Chilean pianist and composer Mario Lecaros. In 1984 he moved to the Bay Area where he has participated in countless projects related to Flamenco, Cuban and Latin Music. In addition to an active local performing presence, he has toured extensively throughout the United States, and Spain. In 1992, he founded Potaje in collaboration with flamenco guitarist Guillermo Rios. Since that time, he has directed the ensemble and has composed and arranged most of its repertoire. He is also a founding member and flautist of Orquesta la Moderna Tradición, a twelve piece ensemble dedicated to playing a modernized version of the traditional Cuban charanga music. O1C Performances: Potaje Ensemble |
