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Rafael has created a unique yet instantly recognizable sound. Moving with Flamenco into a new exciting era he has combined gypsy soul and energy with the earthiness of Andalucian chant to create a unique and modern direction for this eternal music while remaining true to Spanish gypsy roots stretching back hundreds of years. Following a fine line between innovation and tradition, he has drawn on his experiences from performing in Spain, Britain, Egypt, Singapore, Qatar, France, Russia, Ireland, Italy, Cyprus etc where he has played with some of the greatest folk, jazz and classical musicians. Whilst other guitarists have followed the conventions of the past or moved outside and away from Flamenco, Rafael has pushed the boundaries of this passionate art form to reinvent it for a new generation. Spain's "El País" newspaper hailed his ability to "play with the soul of a gypsy".
Rafael began to play the guitar at the age of nine in Madrid under the tuition of Luis Adame (one of the great Carmen Amaya's guitarists). He is now one of the leading guitarists of his generation and in Spain has performed with amongst others, such distinguished artists as Juan Castro "Pety" (three times winner of Festival Cante de las Minas), Martin Vargas, former choreographer of the Ballet Nacional de España and toured extensively with Salpicao (winner of II Edición Nacional de Encuentros de Folk). He has performed concerts and workshops from London to Cairo and from Madrid to Rome and appeared at festivals alongside artists such as Paco de Lucia, Cristina Hoyos and Soul II Soul.
Over the years he has recorded for many artists including Grace Jones and Gilbert O'Sullivan and has recorded endless library music for television and radio.In recent years he has collaborated in concert with the Instituto Cervantes who promote Spanish culture abroad and with Tamara Rojo, principal dancer of the Royal Ballet, participated at a press conference/lecture for the media in London in presenting "Spanish artists in Britain". Rafael has appeared on numerous radio and television broadcasts including Radio Nacional de España, BBC and the BBC World Service, ITV, Granada Television (with the Royal Philharmonic Orchestra), Sky, CYBC Rik 1, Channel 6, Egyptian National Television, Aitana Spanish Television and has performed in the presence of Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II.
As an experienced and dynamic teacher he has performed workshops and master classes all over the world. He is keen to share his knowledge with classical, jazz, rock, contemporary and folk guitarists alike, taking part in International Summer Schools for Guitarists, Conservatoires and music schools on a regular basis. Rafael has also been commissioned to write music for films and television and is currently working on a programme about the Spanish Civil War, a series of documentaries on Spain and a new flamenco guitar method for students. He is based between Oxford and Madrid where he combines teaching with performing.
A few examples of Rafael's work appear in the best selling "Guitar" book by Richard Chapman published by Dorling Kindersley. Having made a major contribution to the chapter on Flamenco, all the music in this section is by Rafael. The forward is by Eric Clapton and the book features from Paco de Lucia and Django Reinhardt to B.B. King and Jimmy Page. In January 2002 "Duende" by Jason Webster dedicated his already acclaimed best seller book to Rafael "For Rafa, and the duende moments with him that inspired me".
