Flamenco legend Paco de Lucia is returning to Colombia after more than 15 years to perform in Medellin and Bogota.
Paco de Lucia is generally considered one of, if not the greatest exponent of Flamenco guitar. He will play in Medellin on October 22, and in Bogota on the 24th.
Known for his extraordinary finger dexterity, instinctive improvisations, and absolute authority over the guitar, Paco de Lucia has played with Eric Clapton, giants from the world of jazz like pianist Chick Corea and guitar greats John McLaughlin and Al Di Meola, as well as flamenco singer Camaron de la Isla and Spanish music icon Julio Iglesias.
De Lucia told Colombian weekly Semana that on his last trip to Colombia some 16 years ago he almost lost a finger. “I was on [the Caribbean island of] Providencia – a place that I love – snorkelling. During one dive I cut my hand on the coral reef. A local doctor helped me immediately. Thanks to him I didn’t lose a finger. It was a miracle.”
In the concerts in Colombia De Lucia is expected to perform some of his best-known works, including ‘Entre Dos Aguas,’ ‘Cepa Andaluza,’ ‘Chanela,’ and ‘Mediterranean Sun Dance.’
“I don’t like to only play my newest works,” De Lucia told Semana. “I like it when the public can hear all of my repertoire.”
The Andalucian-born guitarist, who now lives on the Spanish island of Mallorca, is considered a revolutionary who has significantly evolved the language of Flamenco music during his 55-year career.
As well as the speed of his picados – flamboyant runs up and down the fingerboard – and his powerful rasgueados – explosive strumming typical of Flamenco – De Lucia is known for introducing the percussive ‘cajon’ instrument into the Flamenco vernacular in the late 1970s, an Afro-Peruvian instrument now commonly used in Flamenco groups and also by musicians working in other genres.
He will be accompanied by his group, which includes long-time collaborator Alain Perez on the fretless bass, Antonio Serrano on the keyboard and harmonica, Antonio Sanchez on guitar, and Israel Suarez on percussion. Singers Antonio Flores and David Madonado will complete the band, along with dancer Antonio Fernandez.
Tickets for the Medellin performance can still be purchased here, and for the Bogota performance here.
Paco de Lucia performing with his group in Morocco, 2013
Paco de Lucia playing his most famous composition: ‘Entre Dos Aguas’
Paco de Lucia playing ‘Mediterranean Sun Dance’ with John McLaughlin and Al Di Meola
Paco de Lucia playing ‘Chanela’ with Juan Manuel Cañizares y Jose Maria Banderas
Sources
- El rey del flamenco regresa a Colombia (La Semana)
- Paco de Lucia (Wikipedia)
- PACO DE LUCIA: Colombia en 2013 – Medellin y Bogotá (El Santuario de Rock)
