Yellowknife (July 09/04) - When most people think of flamenco, they think of swirling skirts, rapping heels and a frantic-paced plucking of a guitar.

But world-renowned guitarist Juan Martin said there's more to the Spanish musical style than the speedy dancing rhythm.

Spanish flamenco guitarist Juan Martin has toured the globe and was voted one of the top three guitarists in the world by US magazine. He performs at Folk on the Rocks next weekend. - photo courtesy of Kir Media

"It's not all up-tempo," said Martin.

"Flamenco reflects all the emotions of life. There are slow pieces, more soulful songs, as well as the up-tempo, festive pieces."

Martin is one of the international musicians invited to perform at next weekend's 24th edition of Folk on the Rocks.

Originally from Malaga in the Andalusian region of Spain, Martin is in the midst of a cross-Canada tour. He spoke to Yellowknifer on the phone from a hotel in Fredericton, N.B.

At a recent outdoor performance in Nova Scotia, the audience sat in the rain. It was so cold that when Martin left the warm tent that served as the green room and stepped onto the cold outdoor stage, his guitar went instantly out of tune.

He and his guitar are looking forward to his weekend at Folk on the Rocks (July 16 to 18) and Yellowknife's dry heat.

"Andalusia is dry," he said. "We get 300 days of sun a year and Malaga gets wonderful mediterranean light. You can see Morocco on a clear day."

Martin has made instructional manuals and videos on the traditional Spanish flamenco style of guitar. But he enjoys attending festivals and listening to the variety of performers.

"I recently went to Baltimore for the first world guitar congress," said Martin.

"There was a jazz guitarist, a guy from Nashville, Andy Sommers (from The Police), and a wonderful guitarist from Brazil. It's the same instrument, only taken in different directions.

"In my own set I will play my own compositions within the laws of flamenco, but I have played many concerts where I fuse with people."

Someone once thanked Martin for his "charity," and Martin asked him what he meant, seeing as how he makes money by playing guitar, and making instructional videos.

"He meant 'thank you for the giving of your art,'" said Martin.

While in Yellowknife, Martin will continue to give of his art by spending a few hours with 11-year-old classical guitarist Lyndon Duong.