Agustín Castellón-Campos, known as Sabicas, is a Spanish flamenco guitarist of gypsy descent. His early style was heavily influenced by Ramón Montoya, to whom he was related on his mother’s side. He began performing in Madrid, accompanying singers and dancers. At the time, the guitar was used in flamenco only as an accompanying instrument, but Sabicas began to develop its solo potential. His first studio album, Flamenco Puro (Pure Flamenco), recorded in 1961, became a milestone in the history of the flamenco guitar.
Paco de Lucía (real name Francisco Gustavo Sánchez Gómez) is a Spanish virtuoso guitarist, one of the most famous flamenco guitarists in the world. Paco de Lucía played both classical and modern flamenco, and was considered one of the pioneers of the “new flamenco” style. Since the early 1980s, he was a member of a guitar trio that also included John McLaughlin and El Di Meola. Critics spoke of Paco’s amazing playing style – he combined modern music with flamenco, jazz harmonies and Brazilian rhythms. He influenced the work of many other performers in the flamenco and nuevo flamenco styles (Tomatito, Vicente Amigo, etc.). The artist chose the stage name “Paco de Lucía” in honor of his mother Lucia Gomez.
Tomatito (real name José Fernández Torres) is a Spanish flamenco guitarist and winner of two Grammy Awards. His grandfather, father and uncle “Niño Miguel” all played the guitar. Since the age of 12, José has been playing in tablaos (flamenco cafes) and, following the example of other flamenco musicians, takes the stage name Tomatito (little tomato). The choice of his stage name was influenced by family tradition – his grandfather’s nickname was Miguel “Tomate”, and his father’s “El Tomate”. Tomatito also worked with Paco De Lucia during the recording of the album “Como el Agua”. In 1987, he recorded his first solo album “Rosas del Amor”, and 4 years later the next one, which he called “Barrio Negro”.
This post is also available in RU.
