Back in the late 60s and early 70s, when the Yorkville neighbourhood of Toronto was filled with hippies and cafes, and the notion of world music was just a gleam in Steve Winwood's eye, guitarist David Phillips was quietly building a musical subculture that flourishes to this day in Toronto. Along with his wife, dancer Paula Moreno, and with the support of venues like Joso's and Embrujo Flamenco, Phillips brought flamenco to Toronto.
Flamenco was born in the south of Spain from a mix of cultures, but it is most strongly associated with the gypsies, and many maintain that only gypsies can properly interpret flamenco. “El Payo” which means the non-gypsy, is the title of an excellent new documentary film about the life of David Phillips.
Born in Northern Ontario, Phillips fell in love first with the nylon string guitar, then with flamenco after he was introduced to it by his teacher and great classical guitarist Eli Kassner. Like many non-gypsies who become obsessed with flamenco, Phillips travelled to Spain to study, then brought his knowledge and passion for the art form back to Toronto where he cultivated the next generation of guitarists and dancers, many of whom are featured in the film.
The director and writer of the film, Max Montalvo, is a first time filmmaker – as well as an emergency room physician and guitarist. He's done a marvelous job of tracing the history of the art form in Toronto, gathering archival concert footage and interviewing Phillips' family, former students and fellow guitarists like Eli and Anne Kassner and Liona Boyd, and sensitively telling Phillips ultimately tragic story.
The gala premiere of El Payo is on Friday May 28 at the Royal Theatre, and anyone who has an interest in flamenco, or in experiencing a little slice of Toronto musical history, should see this film.
View the trailer for the film here:
