To kick off the second session of Summer Arts, organizers picked a performer with a name so towering that it only made sense to feature him at the Tower Theatre. Flamenco guitar master Juan Serrano, along with his accomplished son, Juani, made an appearance that ended with the chance for both of them to perform together. I wasn't able to attend the concert, but I knew that Beehive regular Blake Jones would be there and asked him to provide a recap, which he most graciously did:

The Tower Theater was packed. I mean packed. This was beautiful to see, but no big surprise. Juan Serrano is loved in this town. When he came to Fresno, he already had a world-wide reputation: pictures of him with JFK, Ed Sullivan, and cello maestro Pablo Casals were all displayed proudly in his office. When he left Fresno, he left a legacy of years of music making -- he gave concerts all over the country when his schedule permitted, teaching -- he built up an impressive program for guitar at Fresno State, and mentoring --- ask the myriads of students who had the joy of being invited to hang out and talk music with him at the Student Union coffee shop after class.

But this legacy was already in place whether or not he returned to Fresno for CSUFresno’s Summer Arts Program.

Blake continues:

What about Sunday's concert?

It started off with bang, Serrano’s son proving once again that rock n’ roll’s been here forever, and the guitarists in Spain have had their own special market in it cornered since the 1400’s. Both Serrano Sr. and Jr. had stage time alone to play within and around the various dance rhythms of flamenco, but the electricity really built to a climax in the ending portion of the concert with both of them playing together, trading licks and seeming to get an extra charge from the light-hearted competition and their combined love of family and musical tradition.

I’m sure some fantastic human interest stories could be written just about the familial references made from the stage by the two Serranos. Juani saying that this would be the very first concert he ever did with his father. Juan talking glowingly about his wife Kathy and how she manages his musical career. Both guitarists thanking their extended family (some of whom came all the way from Spain) for coming to this concert. Somehow, with the sincerity and warmth of their playing, and with the rich history of work that Juan Serrano has invested in this Valley, this concert at the Tower Theater made us all feel a part of their extended family.

Thanks, Blake! Sounds like a great show!