Last Sunday was the first in a series of FHF sessions with South American players. And while he works and lives out in Barcelona these days, who better to kick off the program than Stick legend, Guillermo Cides. Leading the session, and all of our sessions for May, was up and coming Chilean Stickist Francisco Rafart who is currently studying at the Berklee School of Music in Valencia, Spain.

A native of Argentina, Guillermo was among the first players (if not the first) in South America to perform, record and teach Chapman Stick in the region. In 1995, he founded the Stiokistas Center in Argentina, bringing visibility to the instrument throughout the continent.

Some highlights of his prolific Stick career would have to include his tribute to Bach, an album featuring tracks that were performed exclusively on the Chapman Stick - check out Suite No.3 in D Major

[youtube]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lC4mA_x1__4[/youtube]

As well as his work with Jon Anderson of Yes on the United Progressive Fraternity, The CCA Project with Linda Cushman and Tim Alexander of Primus and his most recent Stickistas compilation which featured Hispanic players from all over the world. It is hard to parallel any single player with his contributions to the Stick community.

Guillermo has also been instrumental in leading the Stickcamp event in Mallorca Spain in September of this year. The event brings together Stick organizations from all over the world to celebrate the instrument, the Free Hands method and the man, Emmett Chapman who will be in attendance.

Francisco has put together a fantastic program for the month of May which will feature some of South America's finest Stickistas.

Friday, May 1: Guest: Guillermo Cides / Host: Francisco Rafart
Friday, May 8: Guest: Mauricio Sotelo Host: Francisco Rafart
Friday, May 15: Guest: Matías Betti Host: Francisco Rafart
Friday, May 22: Guest: Japhlet Bire Attias Host: Francisco Rafart
Friday, May 29: Guest: TBA Host:

We will be recording these session on Sundays at 11am PST / 2pm EST / 8pm Europe. While much of these sessions will be in Spanish, there are segments in English as well. If you would like to be a part of the forum, don't be shy, just add the Free Hands Academy to your g+ circles and drop a reply here and we will include you in the conversation.

Abrazos!

Thanks for sharing this Gene! I wish I could have participated, especially as a native spanish speaker.

The pleasure was all mine, Gui is a great guy I really miss being active in the community these days, but glad to know that Stickists are still able to glean something from our conversations together.

Cheers - Gene

Thumbs up for Guillermo see this.

Good stuff.