The Magic of FLAMENCO-Maria Bermudez's "Sonidos Gitanos" LA's Disney Music Hall

My first time at the Disney Music Hall was this past Saturday for the one night performance of "The Magic of Flamenco".  I know, it's hard to believe it took me that long to get there and equally strange that it would be to see a program of flamenco rather than "Classico" conducted by Gustav Dudamel.  Oh well, it was both a fabulous and regrettable evening's entertainment.  I expected an entire program of flamenco dancing.  Regrettably, this was not to be.  Yes, there was torrid, passionate and intoxicating dancing by international star Jose Maya.  Maya has performed with such illustrious performers as March Anthony, Beyonce and fellow flamenco stars Antonio Canales and Juan Ramirez.  Maya partnered for one interlude with Ana de Los Reyes.  She's performed with Sara Baras and was a soloist at the Palacio Villavicencio.  The two renown flamenco dancers demonstrated with pizazz all the fervor, energy and artistry required to instill the intensity and excitement of this romantic art-form.  Flamenco culture originated in southern Spain and shaped by dancers and musicians from the Caribbean, Latin America and Europe.  Today, it's considered a consummate icon of artistry in Spanish culture.  The shawl dance performed by de Los Reyes was sensual and hypnotic.  The solos danced by Maya were tantalizing, and left me wanting more dancing from him.  The program was too heavy handed with singing performances which sounded more like caterwauling; the sounds you'd throw a shoe to force the yowling stop.  This criticism is harsh (it wasn't all screeching) but more than I had the patience or preference for, furthermore, my fury was stirred by the pounding of fleet footwork and exotic bravado from the steamy choreography.  The pianist, guitar players and percussionist enhanced the experience of flamenco culture was by the musicians' virtuoso playing.  The percussionist sat upon his "boxed" instrument playing it like a bongo and used drum sticks on a conventional drum and cymbal alongside him.  The musical number played by the two acoustic guitarists was a welcomed, harmonious respite for the evening.  Pianist and composer, Diego Amador, has collaborated with jazz artists Charlie Haden and Chick Corea.  Although referred to as "El Ray Charle Gitano" (the gypsy Ray Charles) I find that a stretch but his compositions and style should be credited with contemporizing flamenco aesthetic with a jazzy Latin sound.  Next time round (which won't be another 20 years) I'll pass on a "Magical Flamenco Program" and opt for a dance program or the LA Symphony instead.