Caravan World Rhythms presents an intimate evening of fiery and refined flamenco music and dance, deeply infused with Indian flavours, featuring award-winning international artists from Madrid Spain: flautist Lara Wong & flamenco guitarist Melón Jiménez; joined by acclaimed dancer from Bordeaux, Deborah “La Caramelita, and Italian percussionist Davide Sampaolo.
“The result is stunning; it is fluid, it is sensual and fully embodies the spirit of flamenco: virtuosity and passion.”
– CBC Radio-Canada
Award-winning flutist and bansuri player Lara Wong and flamenco guitarist Melón Jiménez redefine flamenco by blending the fiery art form with jazz, Indian music, and contemporary global folk. In a dynamic and constant dialogue between cultures, Melón and Lara take audiences on a musical journey of dynamic compositions and vivid improvisation.
In their new show, “CONFLUENCIAS” they team up with percussionist, Davide Sampaolo, and Bordeaux based dancer, Deborah” La Caramelita”. Dazzling flamenco guitar riffs, mystical bansuri melodies, percussive footwork, and entrancing global rhythms, come together in this truly singular musical voyage.
ABOUT Lara Wong & Melón Jiménez – flute & guitar
https://en.larawong.com/melonlara
Melón and Lara first met on stage in 2018 in the flamenco jazz capital of Madrid. There was an instant connection and an intuitive understanding that Wong and Jiménez shared compatible musical visions. Together they have since performed across Europe, Asia, and North America at a variety of venues and prestigious festivals.
Originally from Vancouver, BC but based in Spain for nearly a decade, flautist Lara Wong is a distinctive and now well-recognized musical voice who studied flamenco in Andalusia after completing her degree in classical and jazz performance at McGill University. Over the years, she has become a respected figure in the flamenco scene, best known for playing flamenco music on the Indian bansuri flute. Lara is also the winner of the “Filon” first prize award for best flamenco instrumentalist of the Festival Cante de las Minas, making her the first foreigner to win in any category of the festival’s 60 year history.
Wong’s approach is a natural fit for guitarist Melón Jiménez, who first extensively explored the intersections of flamenco and classical Indian music as a member of Anoushka Shankar’s Traveller Band in 2013. Jiménez was born into a musically and culturally diverse family that encouraged him to learn the music of his Andalusian gitano (Spanish Roma) roots and to use the flamenco guitar as a doorway to innovation. His musical versatility has led to collaborations with renowned artists of all genres such as: Enrique Morente, Richard Bona, Niña Pastori, and Jorge Pardo.
“Melón Jiménez is a guitarist to watch. He has an alluring style that presents prodigiously performed, masterfully crafted compositions, exposing guitar complexities and a skill for bridging tradition and modernity”
– World Music Central
ABOUT Deborah “La Caramelita” – flamenco dancer
Dancer Deborah “La Caramelita”, based in Bordeaux, France, has enchanted international audiences for over 15 years with her unique dance style. Deborah’s striking moves are inspired by the passion, power and sensuality of flamenco and her Indian heritage. The versatility of this young dancer has led her to collaborate with renowned artists in many events around the world. Deborah began her flamenco journey in Vancouver, BC, but her passion led her to Andalusia, Spain, where she studied with some of the top flamenco dance teachers, such as Juana Amaya and Manuel Liñán. Deborah’s Indian background has inspired her to create many parallels from her rich background into her dancing.
Deborah “La Caramelita” lives in Bordeaux, France with her husband, flamenco singer, Alejandro Mendía.