A
leader of the nuevo flamenco movement, a music that blends the passionate
Gypsy roots of rumba and fandango with Afro-Cuban and jazz rhythms, Roger
Scannura, in his late teens, immigrated to Canada from Malta. In Toronto,
he discovered the godfather of Spanish flamenco, Pepe Habichuelas, and
followed him to Spain where he studied under his tutelage for three years.
Today, as an inspirational flamenco guitarist, Roger Scannura has thrilled
sold-out audiences in both North America and Europe. His latest recording,
Medina, with his band, Ritmo Flamenco, pays homage to flamenco’s 800-year-old
Moorish traditions. [Photo, courtesy Maltese-Canadian Society of Toronto
via Richard Cumbo]