Duende Flamenco

James Samimi

James Samimi has been playing guitar for twelve years. Originally he is classically trained, but after being exposed to flamenco at an early age he turned his attention fully to this beautiful art. He began his studies under Robert Longley, an accomplished new age flamenco guitarist and within a year began studying with Theodore McKown, a founding member of the Orange County Guitar Circle and protege of Sabicas.

His studies with Ted Mckown led to accompanying for a flamenco dance troupe and a vast number of duo performances with guitarist Kenji Bakuya. James has also participated in classes by San Francisco based guitarist and musical director Jason McGuire of Caminos flamencos dance troupe. Through his contact with Jason McGuire, James has attended master classes taught by Maestro Domingo Rubichi de Jerez de la Frontera, and with Canito Suarez a renowned flamenco guitarist from Madrid.

James has an undying desire to demonstrate the musicality and passion of the wonderful art of flamenco, an art that has no limitations in terms of technique, rhythm, and vast potential for expression.