In the Summer 2016 issue of Classical Guitar, we printed a rave review of a new album called Aloha España by guitarist Pepe Romero and ukulele master Daniel Ho, both of whom play instruments hand-crafted by Romero’s son, Pepe Jr (of Romero Creations). The CD is highlighted by several pieces that feature the two musicians playing together on Ho’s imaginative duo arrangements of a few well-known pieces from the solo guitar repertoire, including Tárrega’s Recuerdos de la Alhambra, Albéniz’s Leyenda, and Gaspar Sanz’s Canarios. This disc also contains solo turns by each player, and a closing guitar duet on Fernando Sor’s Romance. It’s truly a great match of talents and sensibilities.
Well, now Romero and Ho are joining forces for a one-time live event in Los Angeles on September 16 at the beautiful Aratani Theatre. Headlining the concert, which is being sponsored by the Japanese American Cultural & Community Center, will be The Romeros—the incomparable family quartet featuring brothers Pepe and Celin, and third generation cousins Celino (Celin’s son), and Lito (son of Angel Romero). Should be quite a special evening, so if you’re going to be anywhere near southern California, you need to be there! For more info and to purchase the quite-reasonably priced tickets, go to jaccc.org.
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(You can also read a story about the making of the album in the Fall 2016 issue of CG‘s sister magazine Ukulele.)
Here’s an enticing video of Pepe Romero and Daniel Ho playing Sor’s “Romance,” arranged by Pepe’s father Celedonio (he founded the Romeros quartet), on a pair of Pepe Jr’s guitars: