Bob Sutherby
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Born in St. John's, Newfoundland, Bob Sutherby has been a performer for 25 years. At age 11 he took up trombone for a local elementary school band, but got serious about music after taking an acoustic guitar course at the age of 15. Electric guitar became the focus of his blooming career and he quickly gained a reputation on the east coast, performing and/or recording with Kim Stockwood, The Gravel Pit Campers, Roger Howse, Jody Richardson, Chad Richardson, Great Big Sea, Billy and the Bruisers and The Janet Cull Band among others, as well as opening for various well-known Canadian acts such as The Tragically Hip, Spirit of the West and Haywire. Bob's career took a more exotic turn when he added nylon strings to his list of things to strum. While still rocking with The Gravel Pit Campers, in 1993 he formed The International Guitar Trio with classical guitarist Kolio Kolev and jazz guitarist Charlie Barfoot. They performed until 1995 and shortly afterward, in 1996 Bob was approached by flamenco dancer Evelyne Benais who had moved to St. John's and wanted to start a flamenco troupe. Without the luxury of having flamenco musicians to work with, Benais called various guitarists and Bob was interested enough to "give it a try". They formed El Viento Flamenco, a group that is still going strong and enjoys a reputation as a unique and exciting east coast act. In 2007 they won an ECMA for “Best Roots/Traditional Group Recording” for their CD El Viento Flamenco In Concert. Though largely self-taught, Bob felt it wise to take formal lessons in flamenco guitar. In 1997 he studied intensively with Patricio Tito, followed by a trip to Seville, Spain in 1999 to study with Juan Del Gastor and Miguel Aragón. In 2007 he studied in Halifax with visiting artists Juan Martín and Flavio Rodrigues. After touring Atlantic Canada in 2001, El Viento Flamenco moved to Halifax. Bob then formed Los Flamencos with guitarist Claire Hodge, eventually adding members of El Viento Flamenco. In 2005 he expanded his musical horizons by founding the world music ensemble Talambra with percussionist Ken Shorley, saxophonist Danny Oore and bassist David Langstroth. Most recently, in 2008 Bob was approached by violinist Lee Park to take part in the tango group Libertango. Bob also has a love for teaching. In St. John’s he worked at Hutton’s Music throughout the 90’s; after moving to Halifax he began teaching at the Canadian Conservatory of Music. From 2006 to 2008 he worked as parttime instructor at Dalhousie University’s music department. Bob currently performs with El Viento Flamenco, Los Flamencos, Talambra, Libertango and solo as “El Tortuga”. El Viento Flamenco will be releasing their new CD Caminando in the autumn of 2008, and Talambra will soon be recording their first CD, release date TBA.
Web Links: Los Flamencos Talambra Libertango
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