Improvised Flamenco Music & Dance (Dia de los Muertos)

"Sending Her Up To Heaven" is what I'd like to call this energetically improvised flamenco music & dance number, filmed on "The Day of the Dead" or "Diå de los Muertos", a celebration of Mexican tradition around All Hallows Eve followed by the feasts of All Saints and All Souls Days. This instrumental vamp section is set to band leader guitarist Tony Ybarra's chord progression, where you can hear flutist Melody Collins improvising with flamenco style flair, and admire the percussive footwork of beautiful dancer Wendy Castellanos! The band includes Theo Claus Wheeler also on guitar, Santino Tafarella on electric bass, and Elias Vasquez on percussion (cajon, bongos, cymbal). Filmed live in concert 11/1/24 on stage at "The Grape" House of Jazz and Spirits music club in Ventura, CA.

Vocalist and flutist Melody Collins plays with multiple musicians in the Santa Barbara area and along the California Central Coast. Styles include hits from the Great American Songbook, Jazz Standards, Bossa Nova and Flamenco. She is an avid lyricist too, who enjoys composing vocalese to jazz instrumental solos. Additionally she works as a professional Pilates Coach, model, dancer, and pet sitter, all around her music career!

Melody's mother Debbie Denke is a classically trained pianist with a passion for jazz and a dedicated music teacher (specializing in keyboard improvisation/arranging for jazz, church, & inspirational styles). She is the author of several instructional music books for keyboard improvisation in various styles, and frequently contributes amusing & educational articles on her website and Youtube channel @DebbieDenkeMusic. Comments and suggestions for piano tunes/topics you'd like to see are encouraged! Arranging tips are especially well suited for those with smaller sized hands!

[DebbieDenkeMusic]

Melody Collins (flute solo) from @thegrape Dia de los Muertos concert with Tony Ybarra’s Flamenco group, featuring the beautiful dancer Wendy Castellanos! Don’t you love it when musicians and dancer improvise together?

[DebbieDenkeMusic]

I’m nicknaming this energetic improvisation “Sending Her Up To Heaven” after my Sister-In-Law Ginnie passed this week. She loved flamenco music and dance!!