I was amazed when I visited Tomas myspace page and found his recording of Solea por Cana. Great traditional solo flamenco guitar. Tomas has the gift of personal expression that so many professional flamenco guitarist lack.

http://www.myspace.com/tomasjimenez

Thanks Sam – great Solea. Also loved the Tientos, a toque that seems to be underrated and overlooked. It can be very moving when played the right way, which Tomas does, as he does with everything he plays. All of it just great traditional flamenco.

Hola Amigos
Actually you maybe do not know how important a comment like this is. Thank you very much.
I have my insecurities just like anyone else and I see things in my own playing that I wish were better.
I seem to enjoy some success when performing to general audiences but I have something of an impression that I am not especially liked by flamenco people here in Britain. I do not know why, maybe just comments I hear.
I do know that several do not like my style of playing flamenco. They do not appreciate flamenco as I try to play it and I think that I have the impression that if they are honest they really only like modern flamenkito jazmenco playing.
I could be wrong but in any case thank you so much for taking the time to listen to my work and to offer encouraging comments.

Saludos

Tomás

Hola todos!


Dios mio, que duende, Tomas! iOle!
I was deeply impressed by the quality of this Caña! I could almost hear the profound voice of Antonio Mairena crying and singing on the tune...
As for what people say around you in Britain, I think it is a world wide trend from so-called flamenco lovers who have no real idea what flamenco was born from and who actually can't make the difference between a solea and a buleria. I don't believe that their point of view may be of any value to a great player like you. As one of the quote reads on your myspace page : your "absorbing performance [is] an outcome of [your] total commitment".
This is true flamenco to me. I am no professionnal and I will probably never be. But when I listen to your music I can feel something. This is what it's all about : sincerity, above technique or fame. I encourage you with all my heart to go on this way : you are one of the very few players who have decided not to compromise with commercial "jazzmenco".
Thanx for the passion you show through your toque!

PS : would you have any tabs of some of the falsetas for the Caña piece?

Hola el frances
Muchísimas gracias por sus comentarios.
You make some interesting observations.
I think for many flamenco guitarists when playing they can hear the cante in their head and maybe that influences how they play.
I imagine from what you say about Mairena that you experience that also.
I do feel encouraged from what you say because your words emphasize the importance of doing what you believe is right regardless of the success you may have.
I am not very good at writing tablature but I will try with hand.
Otra vez gracias amigo

Saludos cordiales

Tomás