Gabriel Ayala-Classical Guitarist

My Trip to Venezuela

2010-05-18T00:13:00.000-07:00

Gabriel Ayala, My Trip to Venezuela

Saturday, November 21st, 2009, I was sitting at an airport in Houston, Texas on my birthday getting ready to depart to Caracas, Venezuela. As the invited featured artist at the “Festival Internacional de la Guitarra Academica”, I arrived in Caracas after an eight (8) hour flight just as the sun was about to rise. I was able to see the beautiful coastline and mountains when our plane started to land. Arnaldo Moncada, Director of Festival, met me at the airport. Then we headed west to Guarenas where I would be based out of for the next four (4) days.

Monday, November 23rd, 2009, I was driven back to Caracas to give a master class at the oldest music conservatory in South America, Escuela Superior de Musica. While there, I taught three students who played music by Antonio Lauro (Venezuelan composer) and Heitor Villa-Lobos (Brazilian composer). The master class was very well attended and the audience seemed very excited to have me at the Conservatory. At the conclusion of the master class, I was given a certificate of appreciation for teaching and was given the honorary title of “Maestro Gabriel Ayala”. I cannot even begin to tell you how honored I felt to have been given such a prestigious title. The Director of Escuela Superior de Musica, Floria Paredes, asked me to play a song for those in attendance and I humbly accepted. I played my own arrangement of Verano Porteno by Astor Piazzolla that was featured on my 2008 CD release entitled, “Tango!”. Immediately following the performance, guitarists asked me where they could get my arrangements and I informed them it was not published. I hope to publish all of my arrangements/transcriptions in the near future. After the master class, we headed over to the heart of Caracas where I would be featured on a television show that is broadcast all across Venezuela. It was a culture shock to see armed military walking around freely. At the television station, I was able to perform two songs and then give a 15 minute interview.

Tuesday, November 24th, 2009, my morning started off with a brief presentation and I had the rest of the day free. The committee decided to take me to the beach “la playa”. We drove for a couple of hours before arriving at an incredible location (see attached photo).

At the beach, they wanted me to have a traditional Venezuelan meal and ordered me a fresh fish platter. The fish we ate (photo attached) was called a Roncador “snoring fish”; the platter also included coleslaw and fried green bananas topped with mayonnaise, cheese and ketchup.

A side dish you’ll just have to try yourself one day. That evening my friend, Director Arnaldo Moncada, gave a solo recital of his own compositions. As an artist, I hardly get the chance to see other performances and was very happy to hear the influences of traditional Venezuelan music that was being played.

Wednesday, November 25th, 2009, the day was spent sightseeing around Guarenas. I found the architecture of the buildings very beautiful and the people of Venezuela were very welcoming. That evening we travelled to Guatire where I would perform my first concert held in a building for the Performing Arts. In the green room, I couldn’t help but smile because I could hear traditional music being played by local musicians from the window. I almost wished that I could join them and participate by performing with the locals. My concert featured composers from South America including Piazzolla, Lauro, Villa-Lobos, Gardel, and many others. I received a standing ovation and played another tango arrangement as an encore.

Thursday, November 26th, 2009, the morning was spent having more traditional food. I loved the meal called “empanadas”; an empanada is almost like a version of a calzone only filled with ingredients such as shredded beef, machaca, ham and cheese, and potatoes. I also enjoyed eating empanadas with a green sauce; I don’t want to know what was in it but it tasted really good. That evening I played my final concert in Guarenas at a breathtaking church (photo attached)right in the heart of town.

This concert program still featured South American composers but added composers such as JS Bach, J Rodrigo, E Satie, L Brouwer, and others. At the conclusion of the program, I received a standing ovation and before I played my encore Arnaldo presented me with a certificate of participation for the Festival. He announced to the audience that I had missed my birthday by spending it traveling to Venezuela so the audience still standing proceeded to sing me Happy Birthday followed by a traditional Venezuelan birthday song (photo attached).

After performing my encore, I was met by the majority of the audience backstage for a light reception. Following I headed back to the hotel to gather my things and leave to Caracas where I would be flying out. On the way to the airport Arnaldo stopped to get one of Guarenas famous empanadas to send me off on a full stomach.

I will remember all my new friends and colleagues in Venezuela and thank the Festival for the opportunity to share my music with many people. I look forward to traveling back to South America again soon.

-G

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Post Using my iPhone

2010-02-09T01:43:00.001-08:00

Hello everyone. Hoping this app on iPhone will actually work if I post something from here.

-G

-G

www.ayalaguitarist.com
www.myspace.com/ayalaguitar
www.facebook.com/ayalaguitarist
www.twitter.com/ayalaguitarist

Bio

2010-02-09T01:34:00.000-08:00

A member of the Yaqui people of southern Arizona, Gabriel Ayala is at the forefront of a new generation of Native Americans making a career performing classical music. He began playing the guitar as a child. He earned a Master's Degree in Music Performance from the University of Arizona in 1997, has taught at all educational levels from elementary through college, and serves as a competition adjudicator. Although Gabriel truly enjoys being a teacher his busy touring schedule allows him to only teach in masterclass settings.

Ayala performs regularly throughout the United States and has appeared at the John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts, National Museum for the American Indian, ASU Kerr Cultural Center and Oscar Meyer Theater in Madison, Wisconsin. He has been recognized by the former State of Arizona Governor Janet Napolitano, now Director of Homeland Security, for his musical achievements. In addition, he has also been honored as the Artist of the Month for the Indigenous Internet Chamber of Commerce (IICOC). Gabriel has also been named Tucson Citizen of the Month and recognized as the leading artist in Tucson for 2009 in “9 to watch in 09”. Not only is Gabriel recognized locally and in the United States but has had the opportunity to be the featured performer at the “Festival Internacional de la Guitarra Academica” in Venezuela with Performances in Caracas, Guarenas, Guatire and on National Public Television throughout Venezuela.

Gabriel was selected as one of ten musicians featured in “Native Musicians in the Groove” highlighting stories of musicians in their struggles while persevering with a career in music. He also has been featured in several media publications such as “Native Peoples”, “Indian Country Today”, “SAY Magazine” (Canadian and United States Editions), “Spirit of the Southwest (German Publication)”, “Native America Calling”, “Canadian Broadcasting Corporation” and numerous others.

Ayala has released three self-distributed albums: “Self Titled” in 2003, “I’ll Be Home for Christmas” in 2007 and “Tango!” in 2008. He has also been a featured artist on several other CD releases. Gabriel signed with record label Canyon Records to release their first classical CD, “Portraits” on Canyon Records Explorer Series- Classical. The Explorer Series is the new sub label developed by Canyon to be able to feature Native Americans performing music outside of the traditional genre. Gabriel has been breaking stereotypes amongst Native and Non-Native people by performing classical, jazz, flamenco, and new compositions of his own. In 2009, Gabriel was nominated and performed in the Indian Summer Music Awards, Native American Music Awards, Aboriginal People Choice Awards, and the Canadian Aboriginal Music Awards. He led the Native American Music Awards (NAMMY’s) with the most nominations and received Best Instrumental CD for “Tango!”. Gabriel received many accolades in this year alone including the honor of sharing the stage with Motown living legends The Four Tops and The Temptations.

As Ayala continues to travel throughout the United States and other countries he serves as an advocate for education for all youth while instilling his values of living a traditional lifestyle while abstaining from Alcohol, Drug and Tobacco. Gabriel believes in leading our children in the right direction through his philosophy, “Honor your elders, love your children, and respect your women”. Gabriel wants to share the gift of music with as many people and show children that they can become whatever they dream. Gabriel currently resides in Tucson, Arizona.

My New CD Cover

2010-02-09T01:04:00.000-08:00

Just wanted to share a photo taken by Marty Mendoza from AZThunderPhotography. This will be used for the Cover of my upcoming CD entitled, "Remembrance". Should be out in early March.

-G

Bio

2009-06-21T23:38:00.001-07:00

A member of the Yaqui people of southern Arizona, Gabriel Ayala is at the forefront of a new generation of Native Americans making a career performing classical music. He began playing the guitar as a child. He earned a Master's Degree in Music Performance from the University of Arizona in 1997, has taught at all educational levels from elemetary through college, and serves as a competition adjudicator.

Ayala performs regularly throughout the United States and has appeared at the Kennedy Center for the Arts, National Museum for the American Indian, ASU Keer Cultural Center, and Meyer Theatre in Green Bay, Wisconsin. He has been recognized by the State of Arizona and Governor Janet Napolitano for his musical achievements and has been named a Tucson Citizen of the Month as well as Artist of the Month for the IICOC(Indigenouse Internet Chamber of Commerce).

Ayala travels throughout the US trying to be an Advocate for Education for our youth and living a traditional lifestyle where he lives an Alcohol, Drug and Tobacco free lifestyle to help lead our children in the right direction and show them that they can become whatever they dream.

Ayala is a regular performer a the Gathering of Nations in Albuquerque, bringing classical music to the Native American Community at one of the largest pow-wows in the country. Ayala also maintains connection to his cultural roots through traditional singing and dancing.

Ayala has released three self-distributed albums. His first, "Gabriel Ayala," was nominated for a Native American Music Award, Best Independent Recording in 2003. In 2007 Ayala released a Christmas CD, “I’ll Be Home for Christmas" and in 2008 "Tango!" which includes many arrangements by Ayala and was nominated for the APCMA(Aboriginal Peoples Choice Music Awards) for “Best Acoustic” and “Best Instrumental” CD. Ayala has recently signed with Record Label Canyon Records which is located in Phoenix, Arizona and released Canyon Records first ever Classical CD by Gabriel Ayala entitled, “Portraits.” Gabriel Currently resides in Tucson, Arizona.