Today we will meet Alba Espert Ruiz, flamenco guitarist, born in Jerez de la Frontera on June 21, 1997. We invite you to enjoy the interview and the beautiful music of it.
When did you realize that music was going to be your profession?
I received my first guitar as a gift from the Three Kings of Christmas in 2005, when she was only 8 years old. That is when my career began with this instrument, receiving classes, over the years, in the Academies of Jerez masters José Luis Balao, Manuel Lozano "El Carbonero", José Ignacio Franco or Rosario Montoya "La Reina Gitana", who taught Musical Language classes.
After ten years with this instrument, time necessary to know that I wanted to be a guitarist, I agree to study the Flamenco Guitar Career at the "Rafael Orozco" Superior Conservatory of Music in Córdoba.
In that city, I became part as Guitarist and Secretary of a Flamenco Cultural Association entitled "Friends of Paco Peña" from whose members I have always received advice, support and opportunities to get on stage on many occasions.
In 2019, I obtained the "Vicente Amigo" Solo Guitar Award, organized by the Córdoba Provincial Council and in 2020, after obtaining an Acciona Scholarship in the Flamenco Talent Contest of the Cristina Heeren Foundation, I joined as a student of said Institution.
Finally, in the current year 2021 I have graduated with the Interuniversity Master's Degree in Flamenco Research and Analysis from the Universities of Córdoba and Cádiz.
Do you remember who was the first to discover your talent for music?
As I mentioned in the previous question, when I was 8 years old I asked for a flamenco guitar as a gift from Kings and that's when my parents signed me up for classes. From this moment, my journey with the Flamenco Guitar began with which I have learned with great artists, people, amateurs and professionals.
Have you ever been interested in another musical style?
I am interested in all kinds of music since Flamenco absorbs various musical genres, but I have only delved into Flamenco, which is already quite extensive and has a great variety of styles.
What is Flamenco and what does it represent for you?
For me, Flamenco, apart from being part of my day-to-day life, is my means of expression with which I am able, through the Flamenco Guitar, to express the different “aromas” or memories of the various flamenco styles that exist.
With which artist would you like to share the stage?
I would like to be able to accompany the cante of Fosforito, Rancapino Jr., Antonio Reyes or María Terremoto, for example. I am still very young, but I have fulfilled the dream of being able to accompany great artists and colleagues who have given me the opportunity to get on stage with them and to whom, I am very grateful.
What do you enjoy most about being a musician?
I enjoy playing the guitar and seeing the audience be happy, but in particular, the moment I enjoy the most is when I accompany the cante with my guitar.
Tell us about your particular style and how you came to it.
As I have mentioned, I came to Flamenco at Christmas 2005 as a result of having a guitar as a gift from Kings. From that moment, I began to learn this instrument and to delve into the musical genre in which it is framed, Flamenco, which has definite characteristics that do not confuse it with another musical style.
What do you have projected for the remainder of the year 2021?
For this next year 2021, after obtaining the Interuniversity Master's Degree in Flamenco Research and Analysis I intend to be able to transmit the knowledge acquired throughout these years to different students, as well as combine it with Festivals and flamenco performances both playing the solo flamenco guitar and accompanying with my guitar singing and / or dancing.
