David Maldonado - A Spanish Guitar Explosion!
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David Maldonado - A Spanish Guitar Explosion!

San Diego, California, United States

San Diego, California, United States
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"A virtuoso performer!"

Maldonado's concerts are exhilarating, with speed, dexterity, and a sense of melody on his acoustic guitar that would make many hard rock heroes green with envy. - San Diego North Park News


"A virtuoso performer!"

Maldonado's concerts are exhilarating, with speed, dexterity, and a sense of melody on his acoustic guitar that would make many hard rock heroes green with envy. - San Diego North Park News


"Flamenco Guitar Virtuoso!"

Flamenco Guitar Virtuoso! - Los Angeles Times


"Flamenco Guitar Virtuoso!"

Flamenco Guitar Virtuoso! - Los Angeles Times


"Flamenco artist blends old, new in performance"

For Rancho Penasquitos musician David Maldonado, the rhythm and soul of traditional flamenco music can take him only so far. To really make the music his own, he has updated it for the 21st century.


"What I've done to it is put a backbeat to it where it's danceable and more modern for a younger crowd," said Maldonado, who performs regularly at Cafe Sevilla in San Diego and will be at the restaurant's Carlsbad location Wednesday.


Maldonado, 30, is a classically trained guitarist who spent years studying traditional flamenco. Among his teachers were world-renowned classical guitarists Celine and Pepe Romero, both of Del Mar. When Maldonado decided to focus solely on flamenco he wanted to create something unique, not just re-create the sound.

"Going into my own writing I thought I needed to come into today instead of staying with the old masters from the 1920s or 1800s," Maldonado said.

His second CD, "Viaje de Mi Alma," is due this month and he's already working on songs for his third album. "I'm constantly writing. There is music coming out of my ears," said Maldonado, who favors instrumental compositions but wants to add vocals on his third CD. Maldonado has been giving fans a taste of "Viaje de Mi Alma" at Cafe Sevilla shows and they have reacted favorably. "People loved it and wished they could buy the CD now," Maldonado said.

Since he began performing at the Cafe Sevilla restaurants in San Diego and Carlsbad ---- he is one of several flamenco artists who alternate on Wednesday nights in Carlsbad ----- Maldonado has developed quite a following. "There are some diehard fans out there that know every break and every note in the song," he said.

Although his music is a solo effort, Maldonado is frequently joined by one of his younger brothers, Louise or Hector, on guitar or bass guitar, when he performs live. Maldonado is known for giving lively concerts and creating a party atmosphere, which is why Cafe Sevilla has invited him to perform every week, he said. "They booked us (on) Thursday and Fridays because we're very explosive when we play, even though it's a duo," Maldonado said. Of course the energy he gets from his fans helps, he said. "I would never think that just doing a duo at the upstairs lounge of Cafe Sevilla bar would be fun, but people really make it awesome," Maldonado said of the Carlsbad concerts. The free Wednesday night program, sponsored by Smooth Jazz 98.1 FM, features different Latin jazz and flamenco artists each week, including Maldonado, Joe Cano, Mario Olivares, Javid, Flip Side and others.

Maldonado's enthusiasm for performing stems from the powerful connection he feels to flamenco music. When Maldonado was 23 he released a rock CD and while it was successful he felt emotionally empty.

"In my soul it was a failure because I wasn't feeling it," Maldonado said. "I felt like an actor. Now I can play to two people in an empty bar if need be, and one song will bring tears to my eyes." Maldonado has an intense spiritual connection to his compositions, he said.

"The music I write is actually not from me, it just comes through me. I feel like I'm a tool and somehow a dream comes to me and it's a full symphony that I condense into a three-and-a-half-minute song," he said.

Maldonado was born in Spain but remembers little about his native homeland. When he was a toddler his family moved to Nogales in Sonora, Mexico, which is south of Arizona.

From there, his family headed north to Tucson and then west to California in 1995. Maldonado was 10 years old when his father gave him his first and only guitar lesson. By the time he was 14, Maldonado was performing classical guitar concerts at the University of Arizona, which later offered him a full academic scholarship.

Unfortunately, Maldonado lost his scholarship when his family moved to California. He took on odd jobs to pay the tuition to attend Palomar College, but he's never had a career except as a musician.

"Thanks to God I've been blessed enough to make enough money," Maldonado said. The past year was a turning point for Maldonado and he seems ready to take success head on. "I can't believe it, but 30 is the best age in the world," he said. "I feel like I've accomplished so much and I'm going to accomplish even more." - SANDRA KRAISIRIDEJA - For the North County Times


"Flamenco artist blends old, new in performance"

For Rancho Penasquitos musician David Maldonado, the rhythm and soul of traditional flamenco music can take him only so far. To really make the music his own, he has updated it for the 21st century.


"What I've done to it is put a backbeat to it where it's danceable and more modern for a younger crowd," said Maldonado, who performs regularly at Cafe Sevilla in San Diego and will be at the restaurant's Carlsbad location Wednesday.


Maldonado, 30, is a classically trained guitarist who spent years studying traditional flamenco. Among his teachers were world-renowned classical guitarists Celine and Pepe Romero, both of Del Mar. When Maldonado decided to focus solely on flamenco he wanted to create something unique, not just re-create the sound.

"Going into my own writing I thought I needed to come into today instead of staying with the old masters from the 1920s or 1800s," Maldonado said.

His second CD, "Viaje de Mi Alma," is due this month and he's already working on songs for his third album. "I'm constantly writing. There is music coming out of my ears," said Maldonado, who favors instrumental compositions but wants to add vocals on his third CD. Maldonado has been giving fans a taste of "Viaje de Mi Alma" at Cafe Sevilla shows and they have reacted favorably. "People loved it and wished they could buy the CD now," Maldonado said.

Since he began performing at the Cafe Sevilla restaurants in San Diego and Carlsbad ---- he is one of several flamenco artists who alternate on Wednesday nights in Carlsbad ----- Maldonado has developed quite a following. "There are some diehard fans out there that know every break and every note in the song," he said.

Although his music is a solo effort, Maldonado is frequently joined by one of his younger brothers, Louise or Hector, on guitar or bass guitar, when he performs live. Maldonado is known for giving lively concerts and creating a party atmosphere, which is why Cafe Sevilla has invited him to perform every week, he said. "They booked us (on) Thursday and Fridays because we're very explosive when we play, even though it's a duo," Maldonado said. Of course the energy he gets from his fans helps, he said. "I would never think that just doing a duo at the upstairs lounge of Cafe Sevilla bar would be fun, but people really make it awesome," Maldonado said of the Carlsbad concerts. The free Wednesday night program, sponsored by Smooth Jazz 98.1 FM, features different Latin jazz and flamenco artists each week, including Maldonado, Joe Cano, Mario Olivares, Javid, Flip Side and others.

Maldonado's enthusiasm for performing stems from the powerful connection he feels to flamenco music. When Maldonado was 23 he released a rock CD and while it was successful he felt emotionally empty.

"In my soul it was a failure because I wasn't feeling it," Maldonado said. "I felt like an actor. Now I can play to two people in an empty bar if need be, and one song will bring tears to my eyes." Maldonado has an intense spiritual connection to his compositions, he said.

"The music I write is actually not from me, it just comes through me. I feel like I'm a tool and somehow a dream comes to me and it's a full symphony that I condense into a three-and-a-half-minute song," he said.

Maldonado was born in Spain but remembers little about his native homeland. When he was a toddler his family moved to Nogales in Sonora, Mexico, which is south of Arizona.

From there, his family headed north to Tucson and then west to California in 1995. Maldonado was 10 years old when his father gave him his first and only guitar lesson. By the time he was 14, Maldonado was performing classical guitar concerts at the University of Arizona, which later offered him a full academic scholarship.

Unfortunately, Maldonado lost his scholarship when his family moved to California. He took on odd jobs to pay the tuition to attend Palomar College, but he's never had a career except as a musician.

"Thanks to God I've been blessed enough to make enough money," Maldonado said. The past year was a turning point for Maldonado and he seems ready to take success head on. "I can't believe it, but 30 is the best age in the world," he said. "I feel like I've accomplished so much and I'm going to accomplish even more." - SANDRA KRAISIRIDEJA - For the North County Times


"David Maldonado en SD"

Carlsbad.- David Maldonado es una mezcla cultural y étnica, que se antoja inverosímil: nació en Madrid, España, siendo aún muy niño, lo llevaron a vivir a Sonora, México; años más tarde la familia se mudó a Tucson y a la edad de 14 años ya interpretaba conciertos de música clásica en la Universidad de Arizona.

Dos años más tarde estudiaba con los gutarristas Celedonio y Pepe Romero, reconocidos mundialmente por su ejecución en guitarra clásica y flamenca.
David ganó una beca para estudiar en la Universidad de Arizona, la cual tuvo que declinar al trasladarse su familia a San Diego.

La música de Maldonado refleja la belleza y estructura inherente en una composición de música clásica, pero al mismo tiempo tiene la fuerza y el ritmo del flamenco y la magia del gitano.

David Maldonado es un músico reconocido y de trayectoria munidal, es hispano, vive entre nosotros, aquí en el condado de San Diego y esta disponible para tocar en fiestas y eventos especiales, se lo recomendamos, se encontrará gratas sorpresas.

Para mayor información comuníquese al (619) 619 602 0844.
- Gustavo Maciel - El Latino Magazine


"David Maldonado en SD"

Carlsbad.- David Maldonado es una mezcla cultural y étnica, que se antoja inverosímil: nació en Madrid, España, siendo aún muy niño, lo llevaron a vivir a Sonora, México; años más tarde la familia se mudó a Tucson y a la edad de 14 años ya interpretaba conciertos de música clásica en la Universidad de Arizona.

Dos años más tarde estudiaba con los gutarristas Celedonio y Pepe Romero, reconocidos mundialmente por su ejecución en guitarra clásica y flamenca.
David ganó una beca para estudiar en la Universidad de Arizona, la cual tuvo que declinar al trasladarse su familia a San Diego.

La música de Maldonado refleja la belleza y estructura inherente en una composición de música clásica, pero al mismo tiempo tiene la fuerza y el ritmo del flamenco y la magia del gitano.

David Maldonado es un músico reconocido y de trayectoria munidal, es hispano, vive entre nosotros, aquí en el condado de San Diego y esta disponible para tocar en fiestas y eventos especiales, se lo recomendamos, se encontrará gratas sorpresas.

Para mayor información comuníquese al (619) 619 602 0844.
- Gustavo Maciel - El Latino Magazine


"FM 800 Radio - Cadiz, Spain"

A great discovery! Wonderful, and perfect for the show! - Jose Luis Bueno


"FM 800 Radio - Cadiz, Spain"

A great discovery! Wonderful, and perfect for the show! - Jose Luis Bueno


"Tucson Concert Promoter/Organizer"

...last were the Maldonados. Their flamenco music was a fitting finale to an already diverse evening of acoustic music. David Maldonado has some of the scariest scales I've seen. The audience was definitely into the whole show. - Dave Rose


"Tucson Concert Promoter/Organizer"

...last were the Maldonados. Their flamenco music was a fitting finale to an already diverse evening of acoustic music. David Maldonado has some of the scariest scales I've seen. The audience was definitely into the whole show. - Dave Rose


"DANZA CD Review/Quote"

Danza is a magic lamp found in Europe and rubbed in California. You will rub it again and again. David Maldonado is one heck of a genie. - Edmond Hanna - Novamenco


"DANZA CD Review/Quote"

Danza is a magic lamp found in Europe and rubbed in California. You will rub it again and again. David Maldonado is one heck of a genie. - Edmond Hanna - Novamenco


"BRAVO! BRAVO!"

David Maldonado is one of my favorite artists we have the pleasure of booking at the acoustic asylum showcase. I was hooked the fist time they played the A2 show! Every song is a celebration. David is keeping Flamenco and authentic Latino music alive and proud in the 2000's. Los Maldonados are an incredibly tight band and perform each of his songs with so much passion and energy that they cast a spell of dance upon the audience. We sell out of their CDs every time they play our show. The first time I met David and his brothers they made me feel like family. David Maldonado and Los Maldonados are polished and gifted musicians, professional people, and an exciting live music commodity. Don't ever miss a chance to se them. - Rick Duarte - The Palms Resort, Las Vegas


"BRAVO! BRAVO!"

David Maldonado is one of my favorite artists we have the pleasure of booking at the acoustic asylum showcase. I was hooked the fist time they played the A2 show! Every song is a celebration. David is keeping Flamenco and authentic Latino music alive and proud in the 2000's. Los Maldonados are an incredibly tight band and perform each of his songs with so much passion and energy that they cast a spell of dance upon the audience. We sell out of their CDs every time they play our show. The first time I met David and his brothers they made me feel like family. David Maldonado and Los Maldonados are polished and gifted musicians, professional people, and an exciting live music commodity. Don't ever miss a chance to se them. - Rick Duarte - The Palms Resort, Las Vegas


"David Maldonado: A Passionate Performer"

On the sound stage of KUSI, as the good looking and smiling hosts of the morning show went from news, to weather, to human interest story, I sipped some coffee that I had picked up from the TV station's break room. I had come to hear David Maldonado and his band play for their 15 minutes of KUSI fame and needed a jolt of caffeine to get me going for the day. I raised the cup to my lips as the stage director cued the band... Three, two, one, Go!

Before I got a really good sup, David Maldonado and his band launched into his rousing flamenco-inspired music. Classical guitars strummed, hand clapped, and the violin wailed, driven along with bass and percussion. A young woman brandished her long flowing skirt and stepped out rhythms. I was fully awake and braced for the day, without a drop of coffee.

Maldonado has taken traditional flamenco, the Gypsy-inspired rhythm and the passions of Spain's Andalusian South, and mixed in elements of Arabic, Spanish, Mexican, Irish and some modern influences for his hot contemporary sound. You might compare his music to the Gipsy Kings, but with a lot more variety and polish and without the bad vocals. He writes and arranges all the compositions for his band, each tune reflecting emotions he has experienced in his life, which he compares to colors added to canvas when creating a work of art.

Maldonado switched from violin to guitar at the age of ten and by 16, he was studying with Pepe and Celin Romero. The well-known classical guitar dynasty didn’t intimidate Maldonado. "I didn't know that they were famous. I had already been performing at the University of Arizona and I thought everybody could play like this", he says.

The size of the band varies from the trio of David and his brother Hector on guitar, with Vince Escalera on bass guitar, to everything but-the-kitchen-sink ensemble of this morning’s performance. Joining the trio are Patric Petrie on violin; Tim Foley on the Cajon, a Peruvian percussion instrument; youngsters Kyli, and Peyton Maldonado adding exciting handclaps; and Dahlia Ferrer dancing flamenco with the band.

Both of the women in the band enjoy the lively nature if Maldonado's music. Petrie says that it has much in common with the traditional Irish music she plays in Skelpin, one of the five bands she plays with. According to her "this music is very passionate. It speaks to the heart." Ferrer dances in a number if settings including a dance troupe of belly dancers. The reason she says she enjoys performing with the band is because "they have this great energy".

Brother Hector grew up playing rock, blues and classical music with David and shares the spotlight on lead guitar. Although his study of the instrument isn't as extensive as his brother's, he maintains the same intensity and fire. He credits the long history of performing with his brother with their ability to play so well together. "Because we’re brothers, we have more of a connection," he says. - Paul Hormick - San Diego Troubador


"David Maldonado: A Passionate Performer"

On the sound stage of KUSI, as the good looking and smiling hosts of the morning show went from news, to weather, to human interest story, I sipped some coffee that I had picked up from the TV station's break room. I had come to hear David Maldonado and his band play for their 15 minutes of KUSI fame and needed a jolt of caffeine to get me going for the day. I raised the cup to my lips as the stage director cued the band... Three, two, one, Go!

Before I got a really good sup, David Maldonado and his band launched into his rousing flamenco-inspired music. Classical guitars strummed, hand clapped, and the violin wailed, driven along with bass and percussion. A young woman brandished her long flowing skirt and stepped out rhythms. I was fully awake and braced for the day, without a drop of coffee.

Maldonado has taken traditional flamenco, the Gypsy-inspired rhythm and the passions of Spain's Andalusian South, and mixed in elements of Arabic, Spanish, Mexican, Irish and some modern influences for his hot contemporary sound. You might compare his music to the Gipsy Kings, but with a lot more variety and polish and without the bad vocals. He writes and arranges all the compositions for his band, each tune reflecting emotions he has experienced in his life, which he compares to colors added to canvas when creating a work of art.

Maldonado switched from violin to guitar at the age of ten and by 16, he was studying with Pepe and Celin Romero. The well-known classical guitar dynasty didn’t intimidate Maldonado. "I didn't know that they were famous. I had already been performing at the University of Arizona and I thought everybody could play like this", he says.

The size of the band varies from the trio of David and his brother Hector on guitar, with Vince Escalera on bass guitar, to everything but-the-kitchen-sink ensemble of this morning’s performance. Joining the trio are Patric Petrie on violin; Tim Foley on the Cajon, a Peruvian percussion instrument; youngsters Kyli, and Peyton Maldonado adding exciting handclaps; and Dahlia Ferrer dancing flamenco with the band.

Both of the women in the band enjoy the lively nature if Maldonado's music. Petrie says that it has much in common with the traditional Irish music she plays in Skelpin, one of the five bands she plays with. According to her "this music is very passionate. It speaks to the heart." Ferrer dances in a number if settings including a dance troupe of belly dancers. The reason she says she enjoys performing with the band is because "they have this great energy".

Brother Hector grew up playing rock, blues and classical music with David and shares the spotlight on lead guitar. Although his study of the instrument isn't as extensive as his brother's, he maintains the same intensity and fire. He credits the long history of performing with his brother with their ability to play so well together. "Because we’re brothers, we have more of a connection," he says. - Paul Hormick - San Diego Troubador


Discography

El Amor De Mi Alma - 2001
Danza - 2002
Viaje De Mi Alma - 2004
Navidad - 2006
Compilation of Compositions - 2007
Angels and Almas - 2009
Noche De Pasion - 2011

Photos

Bio

NOCHE DE PASION - 100 years of the Spanish guitar in one passionate night!

Guitar maestro David Maldonado has teamed up with musical stars, and premier dancers to take you on a musical journey through Spain, Morocco, Egypt, and beyond. This is a voyage through the evolution of Flamenco Guitar, Classical Guitar, and modern day Spanish Guitar. The Noche de Pasión show is the first of its kind in the world, as well as a new type of concert encompassing over 100 years of the Spanish guitar. Never has any guitarist or dance troupe been able to create a show like this and David Maldonado is honored to bring it to the stage.