Craig Alden Dell, a 45 year veteran of the guitar, has studied and performed the styles of Classical, Flamenco and Impressionistic, as well as Folk, Ethnic and Progressive guitar.

Having studied formally in the Tarrega School, he is a graduate of the Escuela Razonada de la Guitarra at the University of Barcelona under the direction of Maestro Emilio Pujol and his assistant, Hector Garcla.

In the Classic style he studied guitar from Christopher Parkening and received personal career guidance from Maestro Segovia when he had the opportunity to meet him in the late sixties. Craig studied flamenco guitar from El Sarasate and has also performed for and studied technique from the legendary Sabicas.

The Early Years

Craig grew up in a household immersed in the guitar, performers and music. His stepdad, Jim Dell, had the New Mexican franchise of Sherry-Brener Ltd., makers and sellers of premiere Spanish guitars.

"(Performers) used to come and stay with us," says Dell about legendary names such as Arturo Hasso, Sarasate de Sevilla and Nino Palacios. To learn more and more formally, he went to Spain to study at Escuela Razonada de la Guitarra at the University of Barcelona.

Suddenly, at age 19, he had to buckle down and learn the nitty-gritty details of making music. No more coasting on pure talent and a good ear.

"I was having to work, and I put in 14 hours a day," says Dell about that wake-up period. "I was in (master) class with tremendous players from all over." Emilio Pujol made him work hard and Sabicas taught him such intricacies of guitar playing as the proper angle for fingernails.

But the concept of a musical career did not crystallize until Craig was 26. That's when the classical guitarist Christopher Parkening promised to help his future career any way he could. "What he said woke me out of a dream -- I had never thought of what I'd do when I grew up," Dell said.   [Text from the Bremerton Sun Newspaper]

Mr. Dell won 1st Place in the U.S. Invitational Guitar Competition in August of 1976 and has toured extensively throughout the world. He has given two performances at Weill Hall at Carnegie Hall in New York City and has performed as a featured soloist with the Santa Fe Symphony and conductor Stewart Robertson. He has also performed with the Bremerton Symphony Orchestra conducted by Robert Wingert.

Accolades and Quotes

"Gregorio, Creo que Tiener Madera, Y un gran porvenir" Translated: "Craig, I think you have heart and a great future ahead", Sabicas

"A Gregorio, mi querido discipulo, tu le tocaras al mundo con tu guitarra," con un gran abrazo. Translated: "To Craig, my dear student, you will play for the world with your guitar," with warm embrace. Emilio Pujol

"Craig is one of our town's excellent guitarists" William Dunning, The Santa Fe Reporter

"Consistent accentuaion of tone... Confidence and command of his instrument..." David Noble, The Albuquerque Journal

"...as performed by a seasoned and sensitive artist with uncompromising taste and warmth of expression in musical rendition." Tico Times - San Jose, Costa Rica

"shows the many varied facets of the guitar as a concert instrument"... The London Times

"Mr. Dell used the appropriate guitar for each style - the flamenco instrument being lighter voiced and the classical model richer in tone. On balance, his flamenco performances had the edge: They were fleet, appealingly loose and soulful" ... Allan Kozinn, The New York Times

"- at the welcoming party in honor of Sabicas, The King of Flamenco, and the cast of Spanish artists, the local guitarist, Craig Alden Dell, played several compositions, among them "El Amanecer Arabe" composed by Sabicas. In that cozy room of the El Nido Restaurant we became aware once again, that music is truly a universal language. In that inviting room one could feel a communion of understanding among peoples of different countries and languages, in the musical expression of guitarist Craig Alden Dell." Samual Adidi: Vistas Hispanas: The New Mexican