Tomatito to Headline the ’23 Flamenco Festival Nueva York’ in Honor of Paco de Lucía

The Spanish guitar will be the main protagonist of the ’23 Flamenco Festival Nueva York’, which will take place in the city from March 1 to 17, with the special participation of one of the greatest global exponents of this musical instrument: Tomatito.

The guitarist from Almeria will be in charge of opening the new edition of the artistic meeting at the Town Hall, the same stage where maestro Sabicas (Agustín Castellón Campos, considered the driving force behind the internationalization of flamenco) presented the first guitar recital in 1959. flamenco of history. This festival will kick off with his performance, which will bring together 230 participants in a well-deserved tribute to the guitarist Paco de Lucía, on the 10th anniversary of his death.

“We are very excited to be in New York again and even more so to be up on stage to remember Paco de Lucía. It is a privilege for me and for all the musicians who will accompany me,” said Tomatito, a few hours before traveling to the Big Apple.

Winner of several Latin Grammys and member of one of the most famous dynasties in the world of flamenco guitar, José Fernández Torres (his real name) accompanied Camarón de la Isla during the last 18 years of the great singer’s life, collaborating with him on the album La Leyenda del Tiempo, and on many other essential flamenco recordings. After Camarón’s death in January 1993, he began a career as a concert guitarist. Since then, he has performed at major flamenco festivals around the world.

Regarding the other great of the Spanish guitar, Paco de Lucía, Tomatito says he has very pleasant memories.

“I have many (memories), fortunately. The last memory I have of him is of being at his house in Mallorca, recording my album “Soy Flamenco”. “I grew up there, along with Camarón and Paco de Lucía,” he says.

When referring to his shows in New York, where he was last in 2016, he also has happy memories, knowing that he has a wide audience here that knows his work.

“The people who come to listen to flamenco, the public, come with a lot of enthusiasm and that enthusiasm is transmitted to me as an artist. What I try to do is give that illusion back to them,” she says about his concerts. “I have many special memories in this city, above all, I remember Paco de Lucía’s visits to New York because he is the one who opened the doors there for the rest of flamenco artists.”

In addition to opening the festival, Tomatito will perform on March 2 at the Berklee Performance Center in Boston and on March 7 at the Wilshire Ebell Theater in Los Angeles.

And at 65 years of age, the Spanish musician is not slowing down and continues to take his art to many corners of the world.

“Because I am flamenco from the moment I wake up until the moment I go to bed,” he concludes.

A very varied agenda

The Flamenco Festival New York, during this edition, commemorates the fourth centenary of the death of the Malaga musician, poet and writer Vicente Espinel, a key personality in Spanish musical history; And also, on the occasion of the tenth anniversary of his death, each participating company will pay tribute to Paco de Lucía, a genius who popularized flamenco worldwide.

More than 150 Spanish flamenco figures will take part in these performances, such as the National Ballet of Spain, Rafael Riqueni, Olga Pericet, Manuel Liñán, Paula Comitre, Israel Fernández and Diego del Morao, María José Llergo, Alejandro Hurtado, Raúl Cantizano, Ricardo Moreno, Inma La Carbonera and Antonia Jiménez, Alfonso Losa, Concha Jareño , David de Arahal, Sandra Carrasco and Los Voluble.

Likewise, the meeting once again gives space to new generations of artists, as is the case of Paula Comitre, Alejandro Hurtado, Andrés Barrios, Sandra Carrasco, David de Arahal, Raúl Cantizano, Alfonso Losa, el Yiyo, Concha Jareño, Inma La Carbonera and María José Llergo.

At the same time, other events will take place, among which the symposium on Paco de Lucía organized by the Foundation for Iberian Music (The City University of New York) stands out – the first academic event on the figure of Paco de Lucía to be held. in the U.S-; and an event at the Hispanic Society of America framed in the Sorolla Centennial in which Rafael Riqueni and the National Ballet of Spain will participate.

For a complete schedule of events and to purchase tickets, visit: https://www.flamencofestival.org.

2024-02-29 16:00:00
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