Picking the Wright stuff

ARIA Award-nominated guitarist Damian Wright will take flamenco fans on a journey from the artform’s historical origins right through to the latest contemporary interpretations of the genre when he performs solo in Hobart tonight.

Now at the forefront of contemporary flamenco guitar in Australia, Sydneybased Wright’s talents were recognised in 2010 when he received a development grant from the Australian Arts Council to study in Spain with local flamenco legend Pepe Justicia.

In 2014 Wright was invited to perform at the Rajasthan International Folk Festival in India, and last year he travelled to China to appear at the Shanghai Fringe Festival. Closer to home, he has also been featured at the Adelaide International Guitar Festival.

The Sydney Morning Herald once hailed Wright “is a brilliant flamenco guitarist” whose “articulation of complex lines is fluid and dripping with conviction”, while Australian Stage Online said Wright “imbues every piece with the rich, rhythmic structure so characteristic of flamenco”.

Apart from his solo career, Wright is also renowned for his work as leader of flamenco ensemble Bandaluzia, which has headlined Sydney’s International Gypsy Music Festival and The Global Carnival; performed a sold-out show in the Sydney Opera House Concert Hall; and won the “Pick of the Sydney Fringe” award.

Damian Wright is currently touring Australia solo, and plays in the Salamanca Arts Centre’s Founders Room from 8pm tonight. Tickets are $25/$20 concession, go to trybooking.com/SAYB