It’s safe to say that music has always been a part of David Castellano’s life. The 24-year-old North Bergen native began playing the piano at age 3. Soon after, he started playing the drums.
“It’s always been in my blood,” Castellano said last week. “And I’ve been singing all my life.”
However, Castellano’s musical life changed dramatically when he was a 16-year-old student at North Bergen High School, in George Haviland’s music class.
“I don’t know how it happened, but George Haviland guided me toward playing the guitar,” Castellano said. “It was mostly his influence. Even though I played the piano, I always felt that playing the guitar was coming, because I needed something to accompany my voice. I was always curious about the guitar. You can’t carry a piano everywhere you go, but you can certainly bring a guitar with you.”
Castellano said that he picked up playing the guitar fairly quickly.
“I wouldn’t say that it was easy, but I was like a sponge,” Castellano said. “I was a fast learner. I picked up everything I could. I have perfect pitch, so I hear things well and pick up things easier. It was a different world.” But one that Castellano is happy he ventured into. He quickly recognized his talent in playing the guitar. “Since I play a lot of Spanish music, it was natural that I play the guitar,” Castellano said. “I grew up with Spanish folklore and my parents are from Spain and Cuba. I was crazy for that kind of music, especially flamenco.”
Castellano went to New Jersey City University to study music, and while there, he was introduced to some people who enabled him to get professional playing jobs in New York and elsewhere. He was 18 years old when he received his first paying job.
Nowadays, the guitar is Castellano’s way of life. He is constantly playing, singing, and composing a variety of music with his guitar in hand. Ever since those humble beginnings, Castellano has traveled throughout the country, performing and singing.
He has played concerts in Philadelphia and Washington. He has performed at social events at the Museum of Natural History, Lincoln Center, and Trump Plaza and in a special presentation for Gov. Christie Whitman at the Continental Airlines Arena.
Castellano has also performed with Andrea Del Conte and Carlota Santana, two internationally renowned flamenco dance companies.
Five nights a week, Castellano is performing flamenco music at various restaurants and clubs in the area, including Wednesday nights at Vale in Hoboken and Fridays at Tapas de Espana in North Bergen. He also performs in clubs in Manhattan as well like Xunta, Flor de Sol and Taparia de Madrid.
“When I perform there, it’s a mixture of what the Gypsy Kings play,” Castellano explains. “It’s like a rumba style with rhythms, mixed with some pure flamenco.”
He is also involved with his band called “Manue” that plays a variety of flamenco, jazz, bossa nova, funk and rock, with his own original creations.
“It’s a different type of band, featuring all those styles, with a good rhythm,” Castellano said. “We get together twice a month for gigs. We’re also in the process of recording a CD.”
Needless to say, Castellano keeps busy.
“It’s a crazy life,” Castellano said. “I’m constantly doing something.”
But Castellano’s latest venture is perhaps his most proud. On Sunday, Nov. 19, beginning at 3 p.m., Castellano will produce and present “David’s flamenco Spectacle (David y Su Tablao flamenco),” with an entourage of flamenco dancers, guitarists and musicians, at the Knights of Columbus Theater (Teatro Salon Caballeros de Colon), located at 2310-12 Summit Ave. in Union City.
It should be an exciting show, filled with flamboyant presentations and colorful costumes that come with the flamenco style. Acclaimed guitarist Roberto Castellon will perform and Castellano will only sing in this performance.
“It’s going to be a lot of fun.” Castellano said. “This is digging into my flamenco roots, strictly flamenco. I’ve done shows like this before, but this is of a bigger scale. And I’m excited to be playing so close to home. There should be a lot of people I know there. It’s nice to show the people what I’ve been doing.”
Which is obviously keeping busy.
“I’m definitely going to feel at home for this show,” Castellano said. “It’s really exciting.”
And electric as well.
Tickets for the show are $12 and can be purchased at the door. Call 854-0322 for more information.