By ALEXANDREA BAILEY
editor@portisabelsouthpadre.com
Photographer, painter and carpenter Jose Adrian Quevedo Quintana, aka ‘The Handpan Guy’ has been playing the cupola for over a year now. He recently announced that he was searching for bars, restaurants and any venue that would allow him to share his music on South Padre Island, free of charge. According to Quintana, he’s played all over the Valley, but after his positive experiences playing locally, he’s aiming to share his music more on the Island.
A handpan, or cupola, consists of two shells – concave, metal semi-spheres or domes, that produce sympathetic resonance by means of rhythmic slapping. The instrument, which originated in Trinidad and Tobago, has six parts: the rim, tonefeild, dimple, ding, shoulder and interstitial. It is closely related to the traditional Caribbean steel drum.
“The handpan is a very soulful, meditational instrument,” said Quintana.
Quintana grew up in San Benito and currently resides in Los Fresnos. He travels to the Island to play every weekend, as he believes it’s the perfect location for his meditative melodies.
“Sadly, there’s not a lot of people who know about this instrument, especially here in the Valley, so I’m actually self-taught,” said Quintana.
Quintana says one of his favorite aspects of the handpan is the soothing affect it can have on listeners, promoting self-reflection, relaxation and the release of negative energy. For the last year, he’s been practicing constantly, especially every morning, as he believes “practice makes perfect.” He also says his number one supporter is his girlfriend, Martha Fergusson.
“She understands that I am doing it for the arts,” said Quintana.
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