TOMATITO
Living legend Tomatito returned to L.A. for his first show since 2016. José Fernández Torres, aka Tomatito, is one of Spain’s great modern masters of the flamenco guitar. A brilliant innovator and improviser, Tomatito first made his name as a teenage prodigy in 1973, famously discovered by Paco de Lucia and invited to accompany legendary singer Camarón de la Isla at the age of 15. The precocious Roma teen from Almería would go on to have one of the most storied careers in flamenco music, recording four groundbreaking albums in the 1980’s alongside de Lucia and El Camarón, and accompanying such flamenco luminaries as Enrique Morente, José Mercé, and Carmen Linares. As a solo artist Tomatito has released over a dozen albums since his 1987 solo debut, winning multiple GRAMMY and Latin GRAMMY Awards. With special guest dancer Karime Amaya
MARCH 7, 2024 8PM
REDONDO BEACH PERFORMING ARTS CENTER, LOS ANGELES
JOSÉ MAYA: "COLOR SIN NOMBRE"
At only 13 years of age, José Maya was already touring across Spain with “El Güito” and Manolete. Born into a gypsy family of painters, actors and writers, Maya's lineage includes the historic bailaora Fernanda Romero and the cantaor Rafael Romero “El Gallina”. He has shared the stage with international pop stars such as Marc Anthony , Beyoncé , Björk and Juan Luis Guerra as well as flamenco stars Antonio Canales, Juan Ramírez and Farruquito & many more. READ LA DANCE CHRONICLE'S REVIEW OF THE SHOW HERE
MARCH 9, 2024 8PM
WILSHIRE EBELL THEATRE, LOS ANGELES
ANDRÉS BARRIOS
Opening both nights' performances: Eclectic and innovative, classically trained pianist Andrés Barrios Navarro studied at the Bonifacio Gil Conservatory of Badajoz, under the prestigious pianist Ángel Sanzo and completed his Professional Degree at the Francisco Guerrero Conservatory, Seville, where he received the Honorary End of Year Award. His is a style that pays homage to classic Spanish nationalist composers like Albéniz, Turina, Falla, as well as embraces the modern masters: Camarón, Paco de Lucía, Chick Corea, Chucho Valdés, Michel Camilo, Gonzalo Rubalcaba & Tigran Hamasyan. With special guest dancer Mizuho Sato
MARCH 7 & 9, 2024
REDONDO BEACH PERFORMING ARTS CENTER
WILSHIRE EBELL THEATRE
Chang brings International Flamenco Festival with piano to Redondo
by Laila Freeman/JAI
Pictured: Flamenco pianist Andrés Barrios & dancer Mizuho Sato, photo by Sari Makki
The powerful rhythmic strumming of Flamenco guitars, the stamping of boots, the clapping of hands, the pounding of piano keys.
Wait a second. Piano?
“I think people are going to be really shocked when they see a piano player opening the show,” said Mitchell Chang, producer of the Los Angeles International Flamenco Festival. “There’s so much stuff out there that purports to be flamenco,” he said. “I want people to see that flamenco can be presented in a very authentic way, which doesn’t sacrifice any of the entertainment value, so they walk away feeling a little bit more culturally enriched and educated.” Read more here
Los Angeles International Flamenco Festival
Since 2010, the Los Angeles International Flamenco Festival has presented world-class flamenco performances to Los Angeles, presenting the most acclaimed and influential flamenco artists direct from Spain, many making their first U.S./L.A. appearances.
Past artists include: Adam del Monte ● Arcangel ● Ana Crismán ● Andrés Barrios ● Antonio Lizana ● Carmen Linares ● Diego Del Morao ● Diego El Cigala ● Dorantes ● El Carpeta ● Fanny Ara ● Gema Moneo ● Jose Cortes Fernandez ● Jose del Tomate ● Juana la del Pipa ● Kina Mendez ● La Chimi ● La Curra ● La Farruca ● La Tania ● Manuel Gutierrez ● Maria Bermudez ● Marina Heredia ● Miguel Poveda ● Mizuho Sato Nino de los Reyes ● Omayra Amaya ● Pastora Galvan ● Teatro Flamenco ● Tia Yoya ● Tomatito ● Vicente Amigo ● & many more!