A showcase of awe-inspiring flamenco guitaring, pulsating hot Latin rhythms and foot-tapping Mediterranean music that promises to dazzle!

The cast consists of renowned and highly respected flamenco guitar teacher, Bienyameen Camroodien, a Kanna Award-winning musical director, as well as 3 of South Africa's leading family of flamenco guitarist soloists: Dawood Camroodien, Zayd Mayman and Mikaeel Bham, who also sings in Spanish, from S.A.’s leading live flamenco / Latino group, Los Gitanos.

The group will be joined on stage by multi-instrumentalist, Aldrid Jacobs, on saxophone. Donned in their colourful ponchos, Los Gitanos will perform flamenco and well-known Latin hits of the Gipsy Kings, known for their unique blend of flamenco, pop and salsa, such as the iconic Bamboléo, Djobi Djoba, Gitano Soy and Baila Me, amongst others, as well as foot-tapping Mediterranean music from Greece (Zorba, the Greek), the land of mañana, Mexico, (La Bamba), Italy (Volare,), Spain (Y Viva España and the bolero, Bésame Mucho), Cuba (Quantanamera), Brazil (Lambada) and Peru (Al Condor Pasa), to mention but a few.

Instrumentals are performed on mandolin, Spanish guitars and percussion that will include an enchanting, colourful collection of music such as the old Spanish folk tune, Malagueña, as well as other vibrant music (mentioned above), some redolent of the fiestas in Mexico and Spain and the carnivals in Rio that will trigger your desire to dance the lambada, salsa, rumba and samba!

Immerse yourself in a kaleidoscopic synergy of passionate music that will transport you to a breathtaking, exotic location!

LOS GITANOS – BAND MEMBER BIOGRAPHIES

Bienyameen Camroodien

 

“Brilliant … a virtuoso on any plucked instrument … a guitarist with fingers nimbler than Speedy Gonzales on amphetamines.” (Derick Wilson – Cape Argus)

Multi-instrumentalist Bienyameen Camroodien from Cape Town, the leader of the popular Latino band, Los Gitanos, is the most senior flamenco guitarist in S.A. (one of the few skilled to accompany Spanish flamenco dancers), and has been a leading flamenco guitarist for over 30 years. He was a member of the Pablo Navarro Trio for 15 years, performed with the maestros, the late Pablo Navarro and Santiago Lunar, for 23 years and collaborated and performed with and accompanied prominent international flamenco and other artists from different corners of the world. Los Gitanos shared a stage with international bands, Kaomo & Shakatak.

Notable Achievements: Bienyameen

•        won the KANNA Award for Best Musical Director in La Rosa Spanish Dance Company’s dance production of “Blood Wedding” in 2005 and was their musical director for 7 years, performing internationally and nationally at the Grahamstown & Klein Karoo Arts Festivals with them.

•        was honoured as  flamenco guitar legend by the Legends Organization at the “Legends Concert”.

•        was the solo instrumental finalist in the national talent televised programme, “Follow that Star”, finishing as runner-up in the Band and Instrumental Category.

•        was also in the guitar duo finalist with Al Farid in the televised “Road to Fame” talent search.

•        was selected in 1998 to perform at a masterclass with world-renowned Brazilian classical guitar duo, The Asaad brothers, who were impressed with his stunning flamenco right hand technique.

•        attended masterclasses with flamenco guitar maestro, Manolo Sanlucar, in 2011.

•        Was commissioned in 2017 by Hollywood film director, Andy Sirkis, well known for his blockbuster movies, ‘Star Wars’, ‘Harry Potter’, ‘Planet of the Apes’ and ‘The Avengers’, to perform two of original tracks in his latest movie, ‘Breathe’.

•        Lectured in 2011 at the prestigious and first ever Cape International Guitar Festival.

•        Has a licenciate in music teaching and has lectured in music at the University of Cape Town, Natal and at the University of the Western Cape for several years and performs at the Graduate School of Business (University of Cape Town) frequently as part of Professor Walter Baets’ course titled, “Masterclass in Business”. 

•        has performed in Spain, Seychelles, Mauritius, India and Namibia.

 

Dawood Camroodien 21

 

21-year-old Dawood Camroodien, currently the lead guitarist and percussionist for Los Gitanos (joined at the age of 15), is a multi-instrumentalist (plays the guitar, piano, cajon and soprano recorder), often performs with several flamenco artists, including Tierra Flamenca and Madame Marina Lorca.

Notable Achievements: Dawood

•        made his debut at age 8, when he was invited by the late Madame Caroline Holden to perform at the La Rosa Spanish Dance Company’s Graduation Ceremony at the University of Cape Town.

•        impressed the Spanish Consul, at age 9 in 2009, when he performed in one of flamenco dance legend’s, Madame Mavis Becker’s, flamenco productions at the Hiddingh Hall in Cape Town.

•        at age 10 was the youngest musician invited to perform at the National Teacher’s Awards in Cape Town and also performed live on several local radio and television programmes. 

•        won the first prize at age 12 in 2011 in the junior category of the prestigious first ever Cape Town International Classical Guitar Festival.

•        appeared on television as a flamenco guitar soloist in ‘SA’s Got Talent’ television series at age 12 and was selected as one of the 40 best acts in Cape Town.

•        appeared with his father, Bienyameen Camroodien, in the movie, ‘Breathe’ and had the privilege of performing with his father in a movie scene with the actor, “The Amazing Spider Man” star, Andrew Garfield.

 

Zayd Mayman

Currently a fully-fledged member of Los Gitanos Band, Zayd learnt flamenco guitar from his father, Al Farid, one of the founder members of the band. He started playing guitar at 7, was tutored by flamenco maestro, Bienyameen Camroodien, and teamed up with Dawood in a duo.

Notable achievements include: Zayd

•        won 1st prize as the best instrumentalist (lead guitarist of his band 4Tunes), while in primary school, in The Battle of the Bands Competition for high schools.

•        Is currently the youngest flamenco guitarist in S.A. and has performed in several major flamenco concerts in Cape Town with Dawood and Bienyameen.

•        together with Bienyameen, Al Farid and Dawood, he appeared on television and performed in major productions at the Artscape Theatre; 

•        performed as 2nd guitarist alongside Dawood Camroodien in the Tierra Flamenca’s dance production.

 

Mikaeel Bham

He began his musical journey 3 years ago when he made his debut as a vocalist at the Franschhoek Festival with Bienyameen Camroodien and the popular Los Gitanos band and has since made several appearances on stage. Mikaeel is currently one of the lead vocalists in the band and sings ballads in Spanish, Arabic and in Hindi. He recently also made his debut on cajon with Dawood Camroodien as his mentor. 

 

Aldrid Jacobs

Aldrid a talented, multi-instrumentalist, who plays saxophone, guitar, violin and mandolin has performed at major festivals and venues all over South Africa as part of Los Gitanos band for more than 20 years, playing music of many countries, including Mediterranean and Latin countries.

 

Audience Responses

A very entertaining and enjoyable show

Utterly enjoyable and a superb performance!

Fantastic! We loved it. The sax as well. Very good

An enjoyable evening with a lovely selection of songs. I would have appreciated some flamenco dancing too.

Superb Mandolin. Round the world selection. Even a hint at real flamenco. Bravo

4

Great entertainment, such talent and it is our (South African) talent. We are so privilege to see and hear performances like these. Thank you for bringing them to us Sue.

All the musicians were passionate about their profession and their music was good.

Only fantastic. As julle dit adverteer by Helderberg Manor retirement sal shows soos hierdie vol bespreek. Baie dankie aan Sue.