Flamenco Express @ The Forge

Joining La Joaquina and Chris Clavo are two of flamenco's most elemental artists in a long-planned first encounter. The chemical reaction between Adrián Brenes and Pedro Sanz will be explosive.

Pedro Sanz made his debut at the age of 16 and was soon singing with great masters, winning the 1995 Cante Flamenco “La silla de oro” in Madrid. His glittering list of projects includes performances with Gypsy Queen Esma of Macedonia; in Falla’s La vida breve under Rafael Frühbeck de Burgos in North America and Europe; as a principle in Manuel de Falla's La Vida Breve directed by Rafael Frühbeck de Burgos touring the U.S.A. and Europe; with La Compañía de Blanca del Rey throughout Spain, and as a regular in the most prestigious tablaos in Madrid. Pedro's album Yunque received favorable reviews, and he also records with ancient Andalucian specialists Axivil Aljamia.

Adrián Brenes
Born in Cadiz, Adrián made news in 2011 when he collaborated with Milagros Ventura in 'Cositas Navideñas, 'De Ida y Vuelta, 'De Lunares' and 'Vivencias'. In 2012, he made his debut as actor and director in the world's first flamenco production of Shakespeare's 'A Midsummer Night's Dream'. Later that year, joining the production of '1812. Viva la Pepa' by the well-known pianist Manolo Carrasco, which triumphed in Cádiz and Seville. We can expect to see a good deal more of this young performer in the future. Soloist in Carmen at the Royal Opera House, autumn season 2015.

La Joaquina
Founder member, choreographer and director of Flamenco Express in its 20 year project in theatres all over Britain. She has worked with Christina Hoyos, Paco Peña and others in Madrid, Tokyo, New York, Montreal, Toronto, Paris and throughout Europe.
‘Utterly riveting variations of firecracker beats…tumultuous fervour...indelible gracefulness.’ The Stage

Chris Clavo
A founder member and musical director of Flamenco Express, he began playing the guitar at fourteen years old and later studied with flamenco maestros Carlos Heredia, Diego Amaya and Pepe Justicia. He has performed throughout Britain and Europe with Flamenco Express as well as touring with flamenco jazz virtuoso Eduardo Niebla and Iraqi pop sensation Jassim.

"Two amazing guitar solos from Chris Clavo and Jesus Alvarez made string instruments sing with impossible precision." Staffordshire Post