Flamenco Guitar stars are not as numerous as stars in other musical styles. But they definitely exist. Leading the pack, without a doubt, is Paco de Lucia. Easily the most Internationally recognized Flamenco Guitarist. And, with good reason. Paco's innovations, plus his ability and desire to explore other musical genres while respecting his Flamenco heritage,introduced Spanish Music to a wider audience.
Coming from a poor family and thus receiving no formal musical eduction was not an obstacle for Paco De Lucia. Through obessive dedication and relentless practice, he was able to ascend, at age 17, to a accompanists role to the legendary dance troupe of Jose Greco. From there it was a natural progression to a similiar role, which lasted 8 years, backing the celebrated Flamenco singer, Carmen De la Istra. As a solo artist, and with his sextet, Paco's concerts have firmly established his reputation as one the the contemporary innovators of Flamenco music.
Paco is perhaps best known in North America, for his tour with fellow guitar superstars, John McLaughlin and Al Dimeola. That tour produced the classic cd - "Friday Night in San Francisco." Just as Paco was influenced by the guitarists who came before, so Jesse Cook, Lawson Rollins and Oscar Lopez, the new generation of Flamenco guitarists, are insipired and motivated by Paco's innovations.
These guitarists,who continue to evolve Flamenco Music could not have become "stars" without the innovations and accomplishments of Flamenco's "Superstars." The "pre-Paco" guitarists. It is their legacy that all of today's Flamenco Music is derived from. Ramon Montoya,Sabicas,and Nino Ricardo. The three"wise men" of Flamenco Guitar,were responsible for establishing and popularizing the Flamenco Guitar as a solo instrument. Lifting it from a singer's amd dancer's accompanying role in bars and cafes. And it was these Superstars who first introduced authentic Flamenco Music to an International audience.
It was Ramon Montoya, Uncle of the renowned Flamenco guitarist, Carlos Montoya, who first liberated the Flamenco Guitar from it's role as an accompanying instrument to solo status. The son of a family of Gypsy cattle traders,Ramon Montoya's persistence and dedication were responsible for opening wider the door to solo Flamenco guitar Music.
The inheritor of Montoya's acheivements, was the one name guitarist - "Sabicas." Celebrated for his unfaltering rhythmic sense and unsurpassed technique, Sabicas left Spain with the outbreak of civil war in 1936. Travelling the World, He played a major role in bringing authentic, traditional Flamenco Music to an International Audience.He received the ultimate compliment when the late American Guitar great, Chet Atkins, remarked : "The best technique around has got to be Sabicas, the Flamenco player."
Seville's Nino Ricardo is the 3rd of the "three wise men" of Flamenco Guitar. And the one whose History is the saddest. An accomplished composer with a unique performing style,owing to his upwardly curved fingernails,Nino died of liver failure at the age of 68. Perhaps aggravated by his early years of playing in Seville's bars and cafes.
These Superstars of Flamenco Guitar laid the foundations now being built upon and expanded by the current generation of Flamenco Guitar Stars. The most noteable being - Santiago Cortez. Like Paco, Santiago excels in seamlessly integrating non-flamenco influences in his compositions. While always remaining true to his Flamenco roots. His formidable technique, always enhancing, never overpowering his melodic gifts, has established Santiago as a unique and valued contributor to the continuing evolution of Flamenco Guitar Music.
Coming from a poor family and thus receiving no formal musical eduction was not an obstacle for Paco De Lucia. Through obessive dedication and relentless practice, he was able to ascend, at age 17, to a accompanists role to the legendary dance troupe of Jose Greco. From there it was a natural progression to a similiar role, which lasted 8 years, backing the celebrated Flamenco singer, Carmen De la Istra. As a solo artist, and with his sextet, Paco's concerts have firmly established his reputation as one the the contemporary innovators of Flamenco music.
Paco is perhaps best known in North America, for his tour with fellow guitar superstars, John McLaughlin and Al Dimeola. That tour produced the classic cd - "Friday Night in San Francisco." Just as Paco was influenced by the guitarists who came before, so Jesse Cook, Lawson Rollins and Oscar Lopez, the new generation of Flamenco guitarists, are insipired and motivated by Paco's innovations.
These guitarists,who continue to evolve Flamenco Music could not have become "stars" without the innovations and accomplishments of Flamenco's "Superstars." The "pre-Paco" guitarists. It is their legacy that all of today's Flamenco Music is derived from. Ramon Montoya,Sabicas,and Nino Ricardo. The three"wise men" of Flamenco Guitar,were responsible for establishing and popularizing the Flamenco Guitar as a solo instrument. Lifting it from a singer's amd dancer's accompanying role in bars and cafes. And it was these Superstars who first introduced authentic Flamenco Music to an International audience.
It was Ramon Montoya, Uncle of the renowned Flamenco guitarist, Carlos Montoya, who first liberated the Flamenco Guitar from it's role as an accompanying instrument to solo status. The son of a family of Gypsy cattle traders,Ramon Montoya's persistence and dedication were responsible for opening wider the door to solo Flamenco guitar Music.
The inheritor of Montoya's acheivements, was the one name guitarist - "Sabicas." Celebrated for his unfaltering rhythmic sense and unsurpassed technique, Sabicas left Spain with the outbreak of civil war in 1936. Travelling the World, He played a major role in bringing authentic, traditional Flamenco Music to an International Audience.He received the ultimate compliment when the late American Guitar great, Chet Atkins, remarked : "The best technique around has got to be Sabicas, the Flamenco player."
Seville's Nino Ricardo is the 3rd of the "three wise men" of Flamenco Guitar. And the one whose History is the saddest. An accomplished composer with a unique performing style,owing to his upwardly curved fingernails,Nino died of liver failure at the age of 68. Perhaps aggravated by his early years of playing in Seville's bars and cafes.
These Superstars of Flamenco Guitar laid the foundations now being built upon and expanded by the current generation of Flamenco Guitar Stars. The most noteable being - Santiago Cortez. Like Paco, Santiago excels in seamlessly integrating non-flamenco influences in his compositions. While always remaining true to his Flamenco roots. His formidable technique, always enhancing, never overpowering his melodic gifts, has established Santiago as a unique and valued contributor to the continuing evolution of Flamenco Guitar Music.
About the Author:
Reviewing on a variety of arts related websites,Lawrence Collins has a special passion for flamencoguitarmusic
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