bienyameen camroodien
'Brilliant, a virtuoso on any plucked instrument … a guitarist with fingers nimbler than Speedy Gonzales on amphetamines'
Derick Wilson
Cape Argus
The Cape Town born Bienyameen Camroodien, has been a leading flamenco guitarist for over twenty years. During this time he has accompanied prominent international flamenco artists including La Truco, Talegon de Cordoba, Juan Meira, Jose Salinas, Jose Pandero, Jose Antonio, Emelio de Diego, Juan Soto, Rocio Fernandes, Paco el Lobo, Antonio Ruiz and Angel Muñoz.
He has performed in Spain, Seychelles, Mauritius to India where he played hand-in-hand with Siva Manie who is one of India’s leading percussionist; collaborated on 'Secret Passions' with the famed Buddha Bar keyboard player Abijeet Pohankar; and was selected to perform at a master class with the world renowned Brazilian classical guitar duo The Asaad.
In 2011 Bienyameen attended master classes with Manolo Sanlucar at the Cordoba International Guitar Festival in Seville.
On local shores, Bienyameen conducted a flamenco workshop at the first ever 'Cape Town International Guitar Festival' in May 2011. He also manages his established latin band called 'Los Gitanos' which has shared the stage with international groups like Shakatak and Kaoma and he has appeared on TV programmes like Pasella, Sinbad the Sailor and Top Billing.
Bienjameen was also the musical director for the La Rosa Dance Company for 7 years. He has performed with Emilio de Diego as guitarist and music composer for the film 'Blood Wedding' and they subsequently accompanied the dancers from the Spanish National Dance Company. Bienjameen started his musical studies at the age of six with piano and turned to classical guitar at fifteen under Aubrey Viegeland, whilst refining his flamenco skills under Santiago Luna and the great Pablo Navarro, with whom he also performed performed for over ten years.
Bienyamien has a degree in music and has lectured at the Universities of Cape Town, Natal and The Western Cape.
awards
Kanna Award for musical direction for the dance production 'Blood Wedding' at the Klein Karoo Kunste Fees
Solo instrumental finalist in the national talent televised programme 'Follow that Star'
Due guitar finalist with Al Farid in the televised 'Road to Fame' talent search programme
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SoloFLAMENCO (formerly Flamenco Fusion)
PO Box 31 West Coast Village 7433
contact: 084 840 2723
SoloFLAMENCO forms part of the Magna Moliri Arts Incubator
