Composer / Director / Spanish Guitarist
One of Australia’s finest Spanish Guitarists, Andrew Veivers draws on a wide range of musical influences to evoke the sensual and mesmerising sounds of the Spanish guitar in all of its guises. At venues ranging from Blenheim Palace (UK) to The Dillington Classical Guitar Festival (UK) to chamber music series' in Amsterdam to concerts at many of Australia's leading festivals, Andrew has appeared as a soloist as well as with his various groups (Flamenco Fire, The Saruzu Quartet, Jaleos Flamenco) to great critical acclaim.
On the back of his 2013 Queensland Music Award, Andrew Veivers is touring Australia with a brand new release - Departures - compositions for solo guitar - a reflection on the people, places, and projects that have been pivotal in Veivers' development as a musician and composer over the past 20 years.
Veivers has developed a very personal and clearly identifiable compositional style. His passion for both the classical and flamenco worlds of music, song, and dance have resulted in compositions that stylistically draw inspiration from greats as diverse as Manolo Sanlucar, Steve Reich, and Manuel de Falla while retaining a clearly individual lilt. Deeply rhythmical, harmonically adventurous, and unashamedly lyrical, the architecture of Veivers' compositions reflects his ability to seamlessly join the rigorous research of a topic with the emotive goal and direction of a lyric or melody.
From the beginning, Veivers combined the traditional study of flamenco with the formal training of the classical guitar. After graduating with a Bachelor of Music in 1993 from the University of Queensland (St. Lucia) Veivers spent 3 years studying, teaching and performing in London, Madrid and Amsterdam.
At venues ranging from Blenheim Palace (UK) to The Dillington Classical Guitar Festival (UK) to chamber music series' in Amsterdam to concerts at many of Australia's leading festivals, Veivers has appeared as a soloist as well as with his various groups (Flamenco Fire, The Saruzu Quartet, Jaleos Flamenco) to great critical acclaim.
Veivers’ recent commissioned compositional credits include - 'Al-Andaluz' (Flamenco Fire 2010), a new translation of Garcia Lorca's 'Blood Wedding' (Sydney Theatre Company 2011), major orchestral works for the Woodford Folk Festival (2011/12 & 2012/13), Gypsy Pathways' (Flamenco Fire 2012) and the Floating Land Festival (2013).
Veivers’ solo debut recording – Jaleos – was awarded Best Album (Folk, Ethnic and Other) at the Queensland Recording Association’s Sunnie Awards. In 2006, one of Veivers’ compositions – Guarijas - was a finalist in the Queensland Song Awards World and Folk category. Veivers’ current ensembles include Australia's only national flamenco touring company - Flamenco Fire and flamenco-tango-jazz band – The Saruzu Quartet. Veivers has also been a special guest guitarist in the Doch Gypsy Orchestra since 2002.
Upcoming Performances
TBA
Flamenco Guitar Workshops
Alongside his performance schedule Veivers has continued his dedication to the teaching of the Spanish Guitar. After being on the teaching staff for many years at the Classical Guitar School in Brisbane and The Spanish Guitar Centre in London, Veivers opened The Spanish Guitar Studio in Brisbane in 1997. Veivers launched his teaching manual and DVD – The Rhythm Method: An Introduction to Flamenco Guitar in December 2010 at the Woodford Folk Festival.
In these exciting workshops, Andrew Veivers will introduce you to the lively, dramatic rhythms and techniques of flamenco guitar. Take a journey into the world of flamenco guitar as Andrew dispels some common myths and exposes a few ‘smoke ‘n mirror’ tricks along the way. Bring your guitar and notebook!
NB These workshop are an introduction to the flamenco guitar (not the guitar in general). Although friendly to most skill levels, a general knowledge of basic guitar chords and vocabulary is assumed.
Upcoming Workshops
TBC
2015
3 & 4 Jan Rory Williamson School of Dance (Coolum Beach)
2014
13 Sept World Theatre (Charters Towers)
16 March Belconnen Arts Centre (Belconnen)
2012
14 October Paddington Hall (Paddington)
8 October Currumbin Eco-Village (Currumbin Valley)
6 October Booie Bello Vista (Kingaroy)
4 October Peregian Beach Community House (Peregian Beach)
9 September Paddington Hall (Brisbane)
25 August School of Arts Theatre (Townsville)
20 August Mackay Entertainment Centre (Mackay)
18 August Village Arts Festival (Yepoon)
12 August Gatakers Art Space (Maryborough)
5 August Paddington Hall (Brisbane)
1 July Paddington Hall (Brisbane)
10 April Canberra Classical Guitar Society (Belconnen, ACT)
28 March Northern Rivers Conservatorium of Music (Lismore)
2011
22 May The Space (Arts Centre - Gold Coast)
21 May Coolum Community Centre (Coolum Beach, QLD)
7 to 14 May Music on Magnetic (Magnetic Island, QLD)
9 April Judith Wright Centre (Brisbane)
20 February DeniliquinTown Hall
13 February Canberra Classical Guitar Society (Belconnen, ACT)
8 February Bathurst Memorial Entertainment Centre
3 February Cielo (Newcastle, NSW)
30 January Bellingen Memorial Hall
29 January Mt. Tamborine
The Rhythm Method
Andrew Veivers has been working on the content of The Rhythm Method, an instructional book and 60min DVD for Flamenco Guitar, over the last 10 years and has drawn the content from over 20 years of musical training and performance in Europe & Australia.
This well researched, clearly communicated instructional book & DVD covers flamenco rhythms and techniques and is accessible to the beginner and experienced guitarist alike. The instructional book & DVD includes technical exercises as well as Andrew’s own compositions and melodies presented in a traditional context.
More Info / Buy Online - www.redchair.com.au
Performance History
2015 Sunshine Coast Art Prize - Caloundra
Acoustic Guitar Spectacular
Palm Creek Folk Festival
QPAC Front Yard Music - Southbank
City Sounds - Brisbane
Bleach* Festival - Gold Coast
Willie Smith's - Tasmania
MOFO - Hobart
Cygnet Folk Festival - Tasmania
2014 Musical Director - People's Orchestra - Woodford Folk Festival 14/15
Laneways 'Stamp' - Post Office Square, Brisbane
City Sounds - Brisbane
G20 - Brisbane
Festuri - Caloundra
Cafe 22 - Proserpine
World Theatre - Charters Towers
Reef Hotel - Hamilton Island
Musical Director - Cairns People's Orchestra - Carnival On Collins
Tablelands Regional Gallery - Atherton
Forbes Town Hall
Willie Smiths - Grove
Mona B3Void Gallery - Hobart
Greenhills on Tweed - South Murwillumbah
Regent Cinema - Murwillumbah
The Events Centre - Caloundra
Boonah Cultural Centre
Smith's Alternative Bookstore - Canberra
The Soundlounge - Currumbin
MONA FOMA - Hobart
Cygnet Folk Festival - Tasmania
2013 Musical Director - People's Orchestra - Woodford Folk Festival 13/14
Flamenco Fire Gypsy Pathways - QLD Regional Tour
Queen Street Mall - Visitor Information Centre
Shucked Tapas Restaurant & Cocktail Bar - Newstead
2012 Musical Director - People's Orchestra - Woodford Folk Festival 12/13
Bangalow Catholic Hall - Bangalow
Zamia Theatre - Tamborine
Warwick Town Hall - Warwick
Booie Bello Vista Restaurant - Kingaroy
The J - Noosa
Noosa Jazz Festival - Rococo Bar
Dancenorth Theatre - Townsville
Burdekin Cultural Complex - Ayr
Proserpine Entertainment Centre
Mackay Entertainment Centre
Capella Cultural Centre
Village Arts Festival - Yeppoon
Gatakers Artspace - Maryborough
Queen Street Mall - Milanos Stage
SOULO Guitars - Woombye Hotel
SOULO Guitars - Judith Wright Centre (Fortitude Valley)
Fete De La Musique - Queen Street Mall (upper stage)
Fete De La Musique - Queensland Art Gallery
Queen Street Mall - Visitor Information Centre
Acoustic Guitar Spectacular - Majestic Theatre (Pomona)
Composer/Director/Guitarist - Flamenco Fire Gypsy Pathways - QPAC (Brisbane)
Gallery 9 - presented by Arts Deloraine - (Deloraine, TAS)
Cygnet Folk Festival - Tasmania
2001 – 2013 Guitarist for The Saruzu Quartet (formerly SARS)
2000 - 2013 Musical Direction & Guitarist for Flamenco Fire (including Queensland and National tours
with Queensland Arts Council)
2011 Composer/Guitarist - Blood Wedding (Sydney Theatre Company) - 6 week season
Zamia Theatre (Mt Tamborine)
Tyalgum Hall - presented by Tyalgum Festival of Classical Music ( Tyalgum, NSW)
Bellingen Memorial Hall (Bellingen, NSW)
Cielo (Newcastle, NSW)
505 (Surry Hills, Sydney)
Bathurst Memorial Entertainment Centre (NSW)
Club Ricetti (Griffith Regional Theatre, NSW)
Bishop's Lodge (Moama St, Hay, NSW)
South West Music tour
Wauchope Arts Hall (Wauchope, Port Macquarie)
Kings Theatre – RSL – presented by Warwick Arts Council (Warwick, QLD)
Rhythm Method Launch - Judith Wright Centre (Brisbane)
National Folk Festival
Blood Wedding – 6 week season (Sydney Theatre Company)
Music on Magnetic (Magnetic Island)
Nambour Civic Centre (with Flamenco Fire)
Gold Coast Arts Centre (with Flamenco Fire)
Tour of SouthWest NSW (with Saruzu Quartet)
Queensland Week (SouthBank Parklands)
2009 Yungaburra Folk Festival – Solo Recitals Solo Support Act for Lulo Reinhardt (Gold Coast &
Sunshine Coast performances)
2004 - 2009 Special guest with the Doch Gypsy Orchestra at the Brisbane Powerhouse
2005 SouthEast Queensland Tour with Melbourne-based Brazilian duo – Doug De Vries & Diana
Clark – including The Rous (Lismore), Noosa Vista Social Club (Cooroy), La Opera
(Maroochydore) and Club Zamia (Mt Tambourine.
2004 - 2010 Woodford Folk Festival solo performances and ensemble appearances with Flamenco Indo
Jazz, The Saruzu Quartet, Jaleos Flamenco & the Doch Gypsy Orchestra
2004 - 2009 Flamenco Indo Jazz @ Judith Wright Centre (Brisbane) with Kacey Patrick (vocals), Steve
Newcomb (piano) & Dheeraj Shreestra (tabla master)
2002 - 2004 Recitals @ the Queensland Conservatorium of Music – Confluence Series (Brisbane)
2003 & 2004 World Beat Festival @ the Brisbane Powerhouse with Dheeraj Shreestra (tabla master)
2002 - 2004 Recitals @ the Queensland Conservatorium of Music – Confluence Series
1997 - 2011 World Music and Folk Festivals around Australia
1997 - 2009 Solo Recital @ The Queensland Guitar Society Concert Series (Brisbane)
2002 - 2004 Recitals @ BEMAC's World Music Café (QPAC, Brisbane)
2000 Chamber Music Series (10 concerts) with flautist - Ravind Sanga (Amsterdam)
1995 & 1996 Guitar Recitals @ Dillington House Classical Guitar Festival (UK)
1995 Guitar Recital @ Blenheim Palace (Oxford, United Kingdom)
Tour of Devon and Cornwall with Jason Carter & Kierenpal Singh (UK)
Teaching Credits
1997 - 2009 The Spanish Guitar Studio (Brisbane)
1993 - 1996 The Spanish Guitar Centre (London)
1989 - 1992 The Classical Guitar School of Brisbane
1988 - 1991 Ascot College of Music
Recording Highlights
2013 Andrew Veivers (solo recording) - Departures (more info)
2008 The Saruzu Quartet - Saruzu (more info)
2008 Flamenco Fire - Sol de Otono (more info)
2006 Doch Gypsy Orchestra - Bride in a Red Dress
2005 Flamenco Fire - Live at The Judy (more info)
2005 Sars – Segundo (more info)
2004 Doch Gypsy Orchestra – live at the Brisbane Powerhouse
2004 Flamenco-Indo-Jazz – live at the Judith Wright Centre (more info)
2003 Best Album (Folk, Ethnic & Other) at Queensland Recording Association’s Sunnie Awards for
his solo recording - Jaleos
2003 Andrew Veivers (solo recording) – Jaleos (more info)
2003 Jazz Queensland (compilation) – Merlo Coffee Classics
2002 Sars (jazz/tango/flamenco ensemble) – Some Sort of Rhythm (more info)
1998 One Straw (world music ensemble) – Psuedognome
Musical Education
1999 - 2000 Intensive study with Bruno Pedros & Rogelio Reguera (Madrid)
1994 - 1996 Intensive study with Francisco Antonio (London)
1990 - 1993 Bachelor of Music Degree @ University of Queensland (St Lucia)
1985 – 1990 Private Tuition with Isolde Schaupp (Brisbane)
Press Kit
Download Andrew Veivers' BIOGRAPHY