On March 10, UC San Diego welcomed guitarist extraordinaire Adam del Monte as part of its Intersections concert series at the UCSD downtown hub at Park & Market. The event, titled “Spain and Beyond,” was hosted by UC San Diego and New York-based violinist Yale Strom, one of the world’s leading ethnographer-artists of klezmer and Romani music and history.
Presented by UC San Diego Division of Extended Studies and hosted at UC San Diego Park & Market, Intersections is an interdisciplinary event series offering diverse takes on traditional ideas and forms in a variety of disciplines. Events include concerts and other artistic performances, spoken word, educational presentations and lectures, demonstrations and more. By bringing an array of eclectic and influential musicians, Intersections forges connections between people, artists, educators, businesses and innovators from across the world with audiences right here in San Diego.
Adam del Monte is considered one of the leading flamenco and classical guitarist/composers of his generation and has made it his life mission to fully express himself in these two genres, transcending labeling and convention. Always having incorporated a wide array of musical styles in his compositions, del Monte has embarked on a journey of creating a unique sound and language of flamenco that is both steeped in tradition and progressive in its openness to musical flavors from around the world. Amongst many collaborations and performances world-wide, del Monte recorded for the featured flamenco guitar part in the double Grammy award winning opera “Ainadamar” by Osvaldo Golijov (2006) and toured the opera in venues across the world. He recently composed his second flamenco guitar concerto, “Paisajes,” which was debuted and commissioned by the St. Monica Symphony. His film credits include Munich directed by Steven Spielberg, Knight and Day with Tom Cruise and Cameron Diaz, Mr. and Mrs. Smith with Brad Pitt and Angelina Jolie and music by Randy Newman in Toy Story 3. Del Monte has been on the studio guitar department faculty at USC since 2000, where he teaches flamenco and classical guitar.
In his “Spain and Beyond” concert at Park & Market’s Guggenheim Theatre, del Monte delighted attendees with a selection of flamenco and classical guitar pieces, in addition to his own compositions. Following the performance, Yale Strom hosted and conducted a Q&A with del Monte to offer attendees the opportunity to ask questions and develop greater insight into the music.
Ongoing Intersections events, performances and lectures will take place at UC San Diego Park & Market’s Guggenheim Theatre, a state-of-the-art, 220-seat venue. Past installments of the series include a trio of world-renowned pianists titled “6 & 88 featuring Irving Flores, Tina Chong & Joshua White” and the Samir Chatterjee Trio performing Indian classical music.
The next event in the series is scheduled for April 20, 2023, at 7pm. The Gilbert Castllanos Quintet will feature Guadalajara-born and San Diego-based jazz trumpeter Gilbert Castellanos and give the audience a grand tour of jazz a’la John Coltrane. Tickets are available here.
Park & Market welcomes the opportunity to host creative collaborations, exhibitions, cultural events, and more. View more upcoming events, learn about hosting your event at UCSD Park & Market, or tour spaces at the building.