Roger Scannura
Encyclopedia
Roger Scannura is a flamenco guitarist and an exponent of Nuevo Flamenco.
. His early schooling began at the Franciscan Monastery of St. Theresa where he was tutored in European history, Latin, fine art and art restoration
. He has been immersed in music since early childhood and mastered the techniques and nuances of Flamenco guitar while in Spain for 12 years under the auspices of Pepe Habichuela and other gypsy masters. He has toured Europe and North America as a soloist and as a Music Director for several flamenco dance companies. He is also a founder of a small Toronto based dance company Ritmo Flamenco. Scannura with his group has performed for Prime ministers, Dignitaries as well as an assortment of celebrities including, Russell Crowe and Sting. Scannura has recorded six CDs of original flamenco music encompassing both traditional and modern styles.
There are a number of impressive guitarists courageous enough to tackle
flamenco. Few are as convincing and awe inspiring as Roger Scannura.
Encore is a sampler from each of the Toronto-based Malta native’s four
releases. Each, judging by this, must be a stunner, as there is nothing
here that qualifies as anything less.
The opening “Burnin’ Up” offers handclaps, dancing (Ritmo Flamenco is a
Toronto based Flamenco dance company), violin and bass – at least.
Unfortunately, there is no credit given to the accompanying players on
the disc. The violinist is especially stunning. The guitarist, it goes
without saying, is breathtaking. Through the eight tunes that comprise
this delightful disc, feet play a prominent role. As with all authentic
flamenco, it is a marriage of the guitar and the dancer.
On the gorgeous ballad of “Marissa,” solo guitar takes center stage,
though the robust dancing is never tucked too far into the background.
The melodic “Summerwine” is heart wrenchingly beautiful. As on
“Marissa,” the dancing is accompanist to the player. “Angelica” is a
lilting number that showcases guitar work as fine as I’ve ever heard in
any context. Again, with no personnel listing on the insert, the players
go un-credited. The electric guitar that fills in here is superb.
The classic sounding “El Ritmo” is filled out with infectious clapping
and dancing, and “Colmenares,” with its slinky flute accompaniment,
along with the dancers, is hypnotic. The closing “Misterio” again is
made the more magical by the addition of the violinist, percussion and
dancing. This is a must-have for fans of flamenco music.
Reviewed by: Mark E. Gallo
"...a gifted composer whose music is as beautiful as it is haunting."
-The Globe and Mail
"Rarely is Flamenco guitar played so eloquently with just the right amount of passion and grace."
-20th Century Guitar Magazine
Life
Scannura was born on MaltaMalta
Malta , officially known as the Republic of Malta , is a Southern European country consisting of an archipelago situated in the centre of the Mediterranean, south of Sicily, east of Tunisia and north of Libya, with Gibraltar to the west and Alexandria to the east.Malta covers just over in...
. His early schooling began at the Franciscan Monastery of St. Theresa where he was tutored in European history, Latin, fine art and art restoration
Art restoration
Art restoration is related to art conservation. Restoration is a process that attempts to return the work of art to some previous state that the restorer imagines was the "original". This was commonly done in the past...
. He has been immersed in music since early childhood and mastered the techniques and nuances of Flamenco guitar while in Spain for 12 years under the auspices of Pepe Habichuela and other gypsy masters. He has toured Europe and North America as a soloist and as a Music Director for several flamenco dance companies. He is also a founder of a small Toronto based dance company Ritmo Flamenco. Scannura with his group has performed for Prime ministers, Dignitaries as well as an assortment of celebrities including, Russell Crowe and Sting. Scannura has recorded six CDs of original flamenco music encompassing both traditional and modern styles.
Reviews
JazzReview.com reviews Encore!:There are a number of impressive guitarists courageous enough to tackle
flamenco. Few are as convincing and awe inspiring as Roger Scannura.
Encore is a sampler from each of the Toronto-based Malta native’s four
releases. Each, judging by this, must be a stunner, as there is nothing
here that qualifies as anything less.
The opening “Burnin’ Up” offers handclaps, dancing (Ritmo Flamenco is a
Toronto based Flamenco dance company), violin and bass – at least.
Unfortunately, there is no credit given to the accompanying players on
the disc. The violinist is especially stunning. The guitarist, it goes
without saying, is breathtaking. Through the eight tunes that comprise
this delightful disc, feet play a prominent role. As with all authentic
flamenco, it is a marriage of the guitar and the dancer.
On the gorgeous ballad of “Marissa,” solo guitar takes center stage,
though the robust dancing is never tucked too far into the background.
The melodic “Summerwine” is heart wrenchingly beautiful. As on
“Marissa,” the dancing is accompanist to the player. “Angelica” is a
lilting number that showcases guitar work as fine as I’ve ever heard in
any context. Again, with no personnel listing on the insert, the players
go un-credited. The electric guitar that fills in here is superb.
The classic sounding “El Ritmo” is filled out with infectious clapping
and dancing, and “Colmenares,” with its slinky flute accompaniment,
along with the dancers, is hypnotic. The closing “Misterio” again is
made the more magical by the addition of the violinist, percussion and
dancing. This is a must-have for fans of flamenco music.
Reviewed by: Mark E. Gallo
"...a gifted composer whose music is as beautiful as it is haunting."
-The Globe and Mail
"Rarely is Flamenco guitar played so eloquently with just the right amount of passion and grace."
-20th Century Guitar Magazine
Discography
| Year | Album Name | Instruments |
|---|---|---|
| 1991 | Spanish Dance |
|
| 1994 | Ritmo Flamenco |
|
| 1996 | Saracen |
|
| 1998 | Medina |
|
| 2000 | Misterio |
|
| 2003 | Encore! |
|
| 2005 | Noche Flamenca |
|