Professional musicians in Spain

Hey everyone -

I was wondering if anyone has an idea as to what cities would be an ideal choice for a musician to make a living. After playing all over the States for a while, I'm considering relocating to Spain for a while to do the same. I'm mainly into flamenco, salsa, and jazz. Anyone know? Thanks in advance for the response!



-- Jimmy

Hi, Jimmy--
A good friend of mine spent 8 years in Spain, playing violin for a symphony orchestra in Valladolid. So it can be done, though I don't know whether it's harder or easier to go as a non-classical musician.

What's your training? To be blunt, how good are you (don't be modest!)? And how long can you manage to survive over there, lugging your stuff from gig to gig with little pay? If you have some money tucked away, you're likely to be in better shape than if you don't and have to find paid gigs right off the bat.

And how's your Spanish? I wonder whether there's a market for non-Spanish flamenco musicians? Or is that a closed club? As for jazz, I'm curious...what style (and what instrument do you play)?

And you don't happen to be a GA Bulldog, do you? (Go GATORS!) :p

[ 01-28-2002: Message edited by: taravb ]

Hey there - thanks for the quick reply!

I've got a bit saved up now and will have a few months of play time before I start becoming concerned about money. As far as my skills go, I've been playing since I was about 5 and have played with many noteworthy people (don't know if you've heard of either John Scofield or Derek Trucks - I've played with both) in the U.S.; in other words, without trying to toot my own horn too loudly I'm no amateur.

Oh yeah, my Spanish. I've got two years under my belt here and am studying now with a tutor. I'm currently working on being able to discuss musical concepts with other musicians.

Thanks again, and I look forward to replies.

-- Jimmy

P.S. No, I'm a Nittany Lion, but I root for the 'Dogs whenever they play here.

[ 01-28-2002: Message edited by: Jimmy ]

I don't know if this is any real help but I would say try Populart in Madrid for work.
Cafe Jazz Populart

Hi Jimmy!

If you are skilled in flamenco wouldn't the logical "place to be" in Andalucía? There's a higher concentration, and probably much more competition, of flamenco musicians in the cities of Sevilla, Córdoba, and Granada, but I suppose that's because "THAT'S where the money is"?! I know they have flamenco shows in Barcelona but to me this seems a little odd. And how 'bout in Galicia!? Has anyone/Eddie ever seen flamenco in Galicia or other locales in northern Spain?

As for Salsa, the cities first come to mind like Madrid, Barcelona, Valencia, and Salamanca. I know that Salsa is popular in Madrid for sure, but can't say with certainty of the others.

Thing is, and in your favor, there is likely LOTS of illegal/cash work to be done in the music field in Spain. First, of course, you'll have to establish your niche or make friends with some of the local bar owners which have live music.

Wow. I'm envious. I'd think if you're skilled in these kinds of music you'd do well in Spain in general. And get this! When I go to Madrid in spring I expect to BRING BACK with me a Spanish guitar (my ladyfriend has TWO of them!) and hope/expect to take lessons and learn to play a little flamenco guitar. WOW. That would be toooooo cool.

Good luck to you, Jimmy. I really do envy you.

Saludos, MadridMan (STILL in Columbus, Ohio, USA )

P.S. I'm a little "chatty" tonight because I'm on my 2nd... hmmm or 3rd glass of Spanish wine, un tinto, called Tinto León (a table wine). Cheap, but gooooood. :p

Hey Madridman -

I was on a Mediterranean tour with a group that included a Flamenco guitarist (we were a classic rock band at the time, and we had another, more fun Flamenco project on the side) and our last destination in the tour was Cadiz. Unfortunately, I was not around long enough to get an opinion of the music scene for professionals, but my guitarist was there long enough to buy a BEAUTIFUL walnut-top nylon-string classical guitar that he immediately traded his Ovation for. What we learned was that if you bring over an American-made guitar, Fender for instance, you should get a really good price for it when you sell it, or you may be able to trade it outright for the guitar of your choice (or guitars? sounds to me like you may be coming back with more than one). If you're serious about Flamenco, I may be able to find a Flamenco guitar teacher in your area.

Anyway, thanks again for the response. Finding a good market to play is tough, in that there's a fine line between markets saturated with musicians and markets with little or no opportunity to play. My plan is to start in Barcelona and work my way South until I find what I'm looking for.

Take care -

-- Jimmy

MadridMan writes:
There are many Gypsies in Barcelona and some of the best Flamenco performers (la Chunga, for example) and classical guitarists (Andres Segovia) call Barcelona home. I have not seen a Tablao Flamenco in Cantabria, Principality of Asturias or Galicia although I have seen ads in el Diario (edición Montañes) for night clubs featuring Flamenco performances. In Spain, anywhere you find tourists you are likely to find Flamenco.

In Santander (Cantabria)in the summer months Street performers are out on c/Burgos (about a 200m 'pedestrian walk') beginning around 8:00 PM every night. Last July I saw an excellent classical guitarist performing there and playing some Flamenco. There was also a 40's style (Tommy Dorsey & Glenn Miller) 'jazz' group playing tunes from that era (almost all 'brass'), an Equadorian (or Peruvian) group that always seemed to take the spot at the east end of the calle, and several others.

In el Retiro in late January, 2000, my wife almost cried when we heard a Cantaor de Flamenco singing; 'Una Niña se Perdió.'

According to my calculations, Sevilla's Biennial Festival de Flamenco will be held this year beginning around September 5th. If nothing else, you might be able to learn a few 'moves' there, assuming that you play classical Guitar.
I, for one, have always wanted to master the art of the cantaor; but my wife says: 'tendrias que nacer otra vez!'

[ 01-29-2002: Message edited by: Eddie ]