Andrew Veivers Spanish Guitarist

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.

Bookings & Enquiries 

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

Image: Ian Leadbeatter