FESTIVAL DE JEREZ 2009. ABOUT GUITAR CONCERTS

Guitar competes with baile for the spotlight at Festival de Jerez 2009

Tomatito, Moraíto, Pepe Habichuela, Gerardo Núñez, José Luis Rodríguez, Cano and Javier Patino play in the Toca Toque Series at Bodega de Los Apóstoles

The Palacio de Villavicencio gives female guitarists a chance

S.C./ Flamenco-world.com, February 2009

Although Festival de Jerez is by definition dedicated to flamenco dancing and Spanish dance, its music program is carefully pampered. And in this thirteenth edition, which is to be held from February 27th to March 15th, 2009, its sights are especially set on flamenco guitar. None other than Tomatito, Moraíto Chico, Pepe Habichuela with Dave Holland, Gerardo Núñez, José Luis Rodríguez, Juan Antonio Suárez ‘Cano’ and Javier Patino will perform at Bodega de Los Apóstoles. And moreover, at the Palacio de Villavicencio room will be made for young female ... guitarists: Antonia Jiménez, Celia Morales, Laura González and Mercedes Luján.

Moraíto (Photo Daniel Muñoz)

Flamenco guitar also shares the spotlight at Festival de Jerez 2009. The Toca Toque Series of the Café Cantante (Singing Café), located at the historic Bodega Los Apóstoles of González-Byass, brings together an enticing selection of tocaor shows. The program is opened by Moraíto Chico with a tribute to La Paquera de Jerez which cantaores Jesús Méndez and Miguel Poveda, among others, will take part in.

Among the acclaimed artists of today’s guitar, also to attend this charming stage at the festival will be Almería-born Tomatito with an anthology of his work, just like Jerez-born maestro Gerardo Núñez. Making a reference to jazz, Pepe Habichuela once again joins forces with English contrabass player Dave Holland in this recital which is part of a tour that will soon be completed with the recording of an album.

The most novel shows will be contributed by new-generation guitarists who, already experienced in accompaniment for baile, are beginning to stand out solo. That is the case of Jerez-born Javier Patino, bailaor Javier Barón’s right-hand man; Huelva-born José Luis Rodríguez, who has been Cristina Hoyos’s faithful composer; and Juan Antonio Suárez ‘Cano’, a usual in companies such as those of Rafaela Carrasco and Andrés Marín, who will present his début album ‘Son de ayer’ live.

Antonia Jiménez (Photo Daniel Muñoz)

Women’s guitars

But the most unusual thing will be seen at the Palacio de Villavicencio. At that cozy venue, part of the Alcázar, four female guitarists are to perform. The recitals of Cádiz-born Antonia Jiménez, who usually accompanies Manuel Liñán and Marcos Flores; Antequera-born concert performer Celia Morales; Córdoba-born Laura González, now experienced in numerous festivals throughout the region of Andalusia; and Murcia-born Mercedes Luján - Maestro Palmita’s granddaughter - are finally going to begin to fill that inexplicable void which flamenco had hitherto suffered.