The Review - CLASSICAL & JAZZ Published: 11 June 2009
Ahmed Dickinson Cardenas
Cuban sounds at home
PREVIEW: AHMED DICKINSON CARDENAS The Forge
CAMDEN is turning into a veritable capital of guitar playing.
Just to mention a gaggle of top-drawer guitarists, there’s Paco Pena specialising in flamenco music, John Williams in classical and John Etheridge in jazz.
Now the gaggle is growing with the arrival of Cuban guitarist Ahmed Dickinson Cardenas to live in Dartmouth Park. “This is such a great place to live,” he says. “You’ve got the quiet of Hampstead Heath on your doorstep yet you’re not far away from the vibrant life of Camden Town.”
Already recognised for his virtuosity in concert halls and music festivals in Cuba, this country and elsewhere, Ahmed is taking advantage of Camden music venues.
On Saturday, together with percussionist Hammadi Rencurrell Valdés, he’s playing at The Forge in Delancey Street, Camden Town.
Two weeks later, on June 26, with the addition of a violinist Emma Blanco, he’s at the Green Note in Parkway contributing to its month-long Festival of Latin American Music.
Then it’s back to The Forge and, after the summer, he’ll be playing at Kings Place in its September festival of 100 concerts.
His performances involve Cuban, Spanish and classical music. Cuban composers include Leo Brouwer and Eduardo Martin; Spanish music is represented by Joachim Roderigo and classical music ranges from Bach lute compositions to Benjamin Britten pieces arranged by Julian Bream.
Just now, too, he’s promoting his CD of music by Cuban guitarist Nico Rojas that’s just won the top Cuba Disco 2009 awards for the best recording by a solo artist and best recording of instrumental music.
• Ahmed Dickinson Cadenas is at The Forge, Delancey Street, Camden Town, on Saturday June 13, 020 7383 7808, free to diners
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