DAMIAN WRIGHT is an ARIA nominated Flamenco guitarist. Damian recently released his debut album “Shifting Sands” (ABC Music) which was The Sydney Morning Heralds ‘Album of the week’ where it was described as “Glorious guitar playing”. In 2014 Damian was invited to perform as a solo artist at The Rajasthan International Folk Festival, INDIA and in 2016 performed at The Shanghai Fringe Festival, CHINA. Damian’s ensemble BANDALUZIA was invited in 2016 to perform at the biannual Adelaide International Guitar Festival curated by Slava Grigoryan & was a soloist at The Sydney International Guitar festival in 2017 & 2018. BANDALUZIA was recently awarded "The Pick Of the Sydney Fringe" at The Sydney Fringe Festival and performed to a sold-out Sydney Opera House Concert Hall as an invited artist to TEDX Sydney 2014. BANDALUZIA has headlined The International Gypsy Music Festival, Sydney, The Global Carnival and is on Musica Viva's national touring program 2023. In 2010 Damian received a development grant from the Australian arts council to study flamenco guitar in Spain with Pepe Justicia, where he spent five years. Damian has recorded with ensembles RASA DUENDE & THE TRANSLATORS on ABC/Universal and Jazzgroove Records and his compositions have been played on ABC radio national and ABC Classic FM

Reviews:

ALBUM OF THE WEEK "The music's flamenco core never wavers. Damian Wright's glorious guitar playing is the spine, if you will, while his compositions allow other instruments to sing their own songs, like willowy limbs able to dance independently because of the spine's solidity... a fine addition to Wright's impressive catalogue." JOHN SHAND, SMH 2020

"Damian Wright is a brilliant flamenco guitarist...Wright showed what a captivating solo player he is on his own "In Time", and elsewhere his articulation of complex lines was fluid and dripping with conviction" - John Shand, Sydney Morning Herald.

"The perennially popular Bandaluzia is firmly established as one of the most enjoyable and exciting exponents of modern flamenco...Their 2020 fringe show sees them at the top of their games....A virtuoso display, rapturously received." Peter Burden, The Advertiser, Adelaide.

"Damian Wright’s virtuosic but tactful guitar gave them musical backing together with the impassioned singing of Spanish Naike Ponce. " - Alan Brissenden - Radio Adelaide

“Bandaluzia is winning high praise for its unique Australian interpretation of the powerful music and dance form….with their thrilling blend of passion and virtuosity” Gabrielle Wilder , Sydney Morning Herald

“Wright provided a solo introduction of exquisite delicacy and increasing drama”  John Shand, Sydney Morning Herald

"Wright imbues every piece with the rich, rhythmic structure so characteristic of flamenco. .....A piece like Khyal, by Wright, has haunting harmonics and an evocative Moorish flavour. It's an imaginative journey: like travelling, without moving your feet". - Loyd Bradford Syke, Australian Stage Online

"Wright is an accomplished flamenco player and composer, who readily accommodates the expansion into wider musical pastures." - John Shand , Sydney Morning Herald

"I loved the authenticity of this performance, This is blissful music: tabla-fast strums that drench you in tense rhythms; barred left hands with fingered melodies; rock solid beats in rhythms of huge complexity. Just fabulous music and a great eye-opener," Canberra Jazz.net

"The other thing that’s immediately, exquisitely apparent is the fine fingering of flamenco guitarist, Damian Wright, who weaves his musical magic all the way through" .Crikey.com.au

"Noteworthy too is Damian Wright's flamenco guitar, beguiling as a sweet mood-setter......it’s a company that exudes vitality and enthusiasm." Jenny Blain,
www.abc.net.au/arts