Almer performs Rodrigo's "Concierto de Aranjuez" with Sarajevo Philharmonic conducted by Philip Simmons

Summer Memories....

Well, today is the day that finally feels like the summer has come to an end in L.A..  We woke up this morning to a beautifully damp morning....no heat to be found.  Although we welcome this change in the weather, we thought today would be the appropriate day to share a photo from one of our favorite summer moments.....HAWAII!

Almer plays for John Frizzell's new score!!!!!!

We are happy to announce that this movie "From Mexico with Love" is finally going to be released October 2009!!!! The score was written by famed film composer, John Frizzell. Listen to the preview below where Almer is featured playing (and improvising!!!) the following:

Classical guitar

Flamenco guitar

Electric guitar

Charango

Mandolin...etc!!!

ENJOY!!!!

The Return of the AlmaNova World Music Collective!!!!

Hello all,

Just wanted to let you know about some performances happening this coming Saturday, October 3rd in South Pasadena. We are participating in the SoPas Arts Fest. Here are the details:

6pm-7pm @ the SPMCC: Jessica Pierce, flute and Angela Cholakyan, piano

We will present a program of classical repertoire for the time-honored ensemble including Bach, Taktakkishvilli, and Enesco

7:30-8:30pm @ the Mission Gold Line Station: AlmaNova World Music Collective

Almer and Jessica will be joined by Zach Hahn, bass and Dan Schnelle, drums to rock the house for an encore performance of this favorite band of So Pas!!!!

8:30-9:30pm @the Mission Gold Line Station: Maestro Alex Gregory

Almer will join the Maestro of rock guitar for some electric shredding!

For more exact info click here

American Composers Forum of Los Angeles Presents: AlmaNova

Two Wins for AlmaNova in Nashville!!!!!

A few months ago, we found out that we were nominated in two categories by the organization Just Plain Folks, the world's largest independent music awards organization. We are pleased to announce that we WON both categories:

*AWARD WINNER*

JPF Music Awards:
AlmaNova "Debut" -Best Instrumental Album 2009
Almer Imamovic "Sarajevo Nights" -Best Instrumental Song 2009

The results were announced this past weekend in Nashville. We were not able to attend, but are so thrilled! This completely took us by surprise. We still don't know who nominated us originally. 'Debut' was our first CD and it has a very special place in our hearts. We recorded the CD in 2006 and are touched to learn that it still is receiving such positive attention. These great honors have encouraged us to continue expanding our repertoire and has profoundly impacted Almer's wish to continue composing!!!

A very heartfelt thanks to all who have supported our music!

Click here for complete list of winners.

Two New Reviews!

Our CD, 'Debut' was recorded in 2006 and yet we are very pleased that we still receive some very nice reviews. Our latest release, 'After Hours' has just begun to be reviewed and we thought we'd share these two latest ones we came across! Thanks to all for supporting this CD and our music in general!!

FLUTE FOCUS MAGAZINE:

01 JAN 2009

AlmaNova - "Debut" Written by Jim Langabeer

Pure musical pleasure is the result of this masterful combination of Jessica Pierce's flute and Almer Imamovic's guitar. Both performers are passionate players and give breath-taking performances in their original combinations of classical and romantic music and Bosnian love songs and lively dances. The duo started while they were both students at the famed Ecole Normale de Musique in Paris, and has flowered in the course of major world tours and highly praised concerts. In style, they take time to state and develop the many melodies and rhythmic energies with impeccable techniques, and yet retain a relaxed, restrained purity of sound. On this recording the pair make judicious use of added hand percussion from Jim Coffin, and a little instrumental overdubbing, but maintain an acoustic sensibility throughout. For variety, inspiration, and listener enjoyment this collection of ten arrangements sets high standards for a flute and guitar ensemble program. Unreservedly recommended.

MINOR 7TH AlmaNova "After Hours," 2009 Flautist Jessica Pierce and guitarist Almer Imamovic perform as AlmaNova. This CD features music influenced by Macedonian folk traditions, including several original pieces. The liner notes convey the significance of each piece, e.g., one written for a child, another for a friend’s wedding. The disc opens with Imamovic’s composition, "Bosna Nova," an uptempo piece combining Eastern melodies connected by bluegrass-flavored guitar runs. "Bitola" follows, its simple presentation resulting in a moving performance. Imamovic overdubs multiple parts on the title track, with one low-voiced guitar imitating the Balkan saz. On the traditional Macedonian song, "Zajdi, Zajdi", the musicians take time to develop a plaintive yet alternately wistful mood. On each selection, Jessica Pierce’s flute trades melodic statements with the guitar, each perfectly complementing the other. This CD is very much a personal project for AlmaNova, and it’s one that pays off for the listener. © Patrick Ragains

Radio...someone still loves you!

Almer loves radio!

Yesterday he was the happiest person in the world when he came across the new radio station in LA. This new station plays the music he loves (mostly rock from the 70's) and has minimal ads.  

It reminds him of his favorite stations in France and the U.K. (FIP Radio in Paris and BBC3)

Now he is a very happy camper! The new station is called 100.3 THE SOUND (click here to check it out live on web!)

Happy listening!

p.s. by the way, pictured is his old Marantz tuner and special antenna, pre-amp, speakers for high fidelity listening, etc.... as his audiophile friends would say "the sound is great and not at all fatiguing"....hahaha!

The best Indian food in town!

Jessica and I are not native Pasadenians...but it is places like the New Delhi Palace that make us feel at home.  This is the best Indian food on the planet and it is run by the most friendly and kind people.  Every time we come to this great place we are greeted like family and we just wanted to share this with you all.  If you're ever in Pasadena and not joining us at our house for Jessica's culinary adventures in Bosnian cuisine (more to come about this later....), then be sure to treat yourself to New Delhi Palace.  

We recommend the Chicken Tikka Masala and and Channa Masala with garlic naan and rice. For the beer drinkers, Almer takes the KingFisher LARGE!!!

Here's the link to their website and directions: http://www.newdelhipasadena.com/

Enjoy!

Guitar on BBC!

Great stories about guitar legends featuring videos of them sharing their guitar licks, techniques and secrets to their unique sound. Check this link! 

 

FREE music-just press play!

Classic Giuliani by AlmaNova

New videos on YouTube!

CSU Summer Arts: AlmaNova's Amazing Review!

For some reason we seem to travel to the city of Fresno, CA about once a year! This particular trip was especially nice....although it was about 105 degrees!!! We were invited as guest artists and master teachers along with other flute legends like Jim Walker and William Bennett. We were so happy to hear the extremely high levels of the students who participated in the master classes and were honored to teach them!

The highlight for us was the great concert we played...and the review the next day by Donald Munro from the Fresno Bee Newspaper!

Please read:

Flute, guitar a beautiful Pair at Fresno State by Donald Munro

Thanks to Summer Arts, I now am in love with the sound of flute and guitar together.

All it took was one concert earlier this week by the AlmaNova duo, whose two players, Almer Imamovic and Jessica Pierce, are instructors in the flute and guitar workshop at the California State University Summer Arts program at Fresno State.

So, what was it about Imamovic and Pierce's performance that opened my ears to this wonderful combination of instruments?

On fresnobeehive.com, I wrote that as I listened to them play I kept thinking of two swallows hurling through the sky -- diving, soaring, swooping, with first one and then the other taking the lead, the two of them sometimes exploding with energy but more often quietly flitting here and there in a graceful, intuitively choreographed display of seamless connection.

The pair is married in real life, and they have a stage relationship that is touching to watch. Imamovic strums his guitar so smoothly at times it's as if he's caressing a stone, and Pierce's flute lyrically fills the hall with a gentle, effortless swell. Watching Imamovic watch his wife as they play is particularly sweet. He stands when he plays, and he periodically turns to gaze at her, his shoulders pulsing with the beat almost as if the two are dancing.

There's a strong Eastern European influence in AlmaNova's songs, which is not surprising considering Imamovic's Bosnian roots. (He writes much of the group's material.) Slightly exotic yet with a velvety finish, the duo's sound never delves into meditative Windham Hill territory, but it also projects a mellow, accomplished mood. Many of the songs have direct ethnic connections: "Sarajevo Nights" seems to twinkle with the vitality of a city, and "Moj Golube," an arrangement of a Macedonian folk song, captures the age-old story of love and loss.

I was entranced, and I'm going to track their CDs down for a further listen. I know I'm looking forward to hearing their colleagues play, as well.

AlmaNova NOMINATED!!!!

We are very excited and honored to learn that we've been nominated to receive an award from Just Plain Folks...the world's largest Independent Music Awards Organization! We were chosen from over 42,000 albums from 160 countries!

We have been nominated in two categories:

2009 Best Instrumental Album for 'Debut' by AlmaNova

AND

2009 Best Instrumental Song for Sarajevo Nights by Almer Imamovic

TO VOTE PLEASE CLICK HERE!

Special thanks to whom ever nominated us!

FREE music-just press play!

Debut by AlmaNova