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| With renowned guitar builder Luis Goya in Madrid - Easter 2004 |
4. The Spanish Experience
In 1997 Austin
switched to Spanish guitar and set himself the task of developing other styles
apart from folk. These styles included Bossa Nova and Jazz. He studied Flamenco
to help develop his right hand technique. He began to play instrumental gigs in
restaurants and for corporate events, including a number of civic receptions in
Limerick's Town Hall.
His interest in Spain and South America (he speaks Spanish fluently) was the spur for his next album, Dreams And Soft Guitars. He visited Peru in 2002, a trip that inspired Getting Ready For Machu Picchu which he performs with a charango bought in Lima. Recorded in 2002/3 and released in 2004, the album features mainly instrumental music for guitar. Among the guest musicians are Paul Roe (National Symphony Orchestra of Ireland, and Concorde) U.S. guitarists Steve Constantino and the late Joe McIntyre, as well as Spanish percussionist Sergio Arbizu.
Austin has been teaching Spanish for almost ten years now ( mainly in Limerick city schools Scoil Ide and An Mhodhscoil). In September 2005 he received the Leargas European Language award from Minister Mary Hanafin for teaching Spanish through his original songs (see www.leargas.ie/education) . Picture shows the award presentation.
