My guest today is Steve Sherris, an artist whose journey from the Scilly Isles to Alston brought flamenco guitar to the upper South Tyne valley. Steve is an accomplished guitarist who has spent a lifetime in bands and playing solo in bars. He is currently a member of recent podcast guests the Hilltop Hoolies and he sometimes performs flamenco guitar, accompanying his wife Alison as she dances. In this episode, Steve tells us how he learned this unique style of guitar in the Spanish communities where it was an integral part of culture, and he demonstrates some of the music styles that are used in a performance.

Flamenco is recognised by UNESCO as an Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity. It has a colourful and chequered history in its homeland, where for a while it was ostracised under the Franco regime before regaining its status as a national treasure. Here are some links to information about flamenco if you’d like to know more:

https://www.smithsonianmag.com/travel/complicated-history-flamenco-spain-180973398/

https://www.masterclass.com/articles/learn-about-flamenco-music-history-dance-and-guitar

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