Val Ramos Flamenco Ensemble and Cuadro

Val Ramos Flamenco Ensemble performances are authentic, colorful, and dynamic! You can expect only the best of Flamenco music, song, and dance with the highest standards of musicianship, creativity, and expression. The ensemble can accommodate to any audience and program format, from receptions and cocktail hours, to wedding events, to school and campus performances, to festival concerts, to cultural celebrations at museums and libraries, to private parties and events. With over twenty years of professional experience, the Val Ramos Flamenco Ensemble is now considered to be one of the finest Flamenco groups in the United States.

The Val Ramos Flamenco Ensemble was established in 1994 and is today recognized as one of the premier Flamenco groups in the United States. Hailed as "the best of classical Flamenco brought to modern standards" ((link hidden)) and "a hidden treasure of Flamenco in the Americas...superb musicianship.." (Flamenco Connection), this outstanding group is featured in two independent releases--BORICUAS FLAMENCOS and POR MI CAMINO--under the PIRAM Records label.

The ensemble toured in Spain in 2005 under the auspices of the U.S. Embassy in Madrid, Spain and has performed at such major international festivals as the International Festival of Arts & Ideas (USA), Guitar Under the Stars Festival (USA), Regattabar Jazz Festival (USA), Summerwind (USA), and the Litchfield Jazz Festival (USA), to name a few. Its music is featured in two independent documentary films (Nuyoricans/PBS and Puerto Rican Passages/CPTV) and in several CD compilations produced and released by the Connecticut Guitar Society. The ensemble has performed with such legendary vocalists as multi-Grammy "salsa" legend Celia Cruz and Grammy-nominee singer Danny Rivera.

The Val Ramos Flamenco Ensemble has performed at some of the most prestigious college campuses including Yale University, Brown University, New York University, and the University of Connecticut, to name a few. It has also performed at major music venues including the Regattabar Jazz Club (Boston MA), the Iron Horse Performing Arts Center (MA), the Bushnell Theater (Hartford CT), the Nuyorican Poets Caf (New York NY), and the Levitt Pavilion (Westport CT).

Known for its high technical and compositional levels of expression, the ensemble features the unique talents of VAL RAMOS (Flamenco Guitarist and Musical Director), Jose Ramon Ramos (Flamenco Guitarist), Kris Jensen (Flutist), Carlos Hernandez Chavez (Bassist), Ashley Jones (Violinist), Tere Luna (Rumba Flamenca vocalist), and Matt Moadel (Percussionist). The ensemble often performs with Spanish Flamenco singing sensation Alfonso Cid of Seville, Spain. The ensemble can perform as a traditional Flamenco "cuadro" also featuring a Flamenco singer and one or more Flamenco dancers.

A concert performance by this outstanding group features solo and duet guitar music, both original and cover instrumental compositions of Flamenco forms, and traditional "cuadro" performances with a singer, dancers, guitarists, and a percussionist. Full performances consist of two sets of 45-50 minutes with intermission. Guitar duet recitals consist of one set 75 minutes in duration. Under special arrangements, performances can include interactive workshops (i.e. school groups), and Master Classes in Flamenco guitar and dance are also possible. Full-day residencies are possible depending on schedules. Fees range from $600 for a Flamenco guitar duo recital to $2,000 for the entire ensemble/group, depending on travel requirements. The group can provide its own sound equipment for an additional fee of $100. For dance performances, a wooden stage, platform or floor is required.

Val Ramos Flamenco Ensemble performances require sound amplification and stage resources for large concert, school, or festival presentations.

We can provide our own sound equipment for an additional fee of $100.

See general stage/set-up requirements below. Specific tech list for your event will be provided upon request.