Alzapúa II

This is the second large-scale production for the guitar at Flamenco On Fire. This time, under the artistic direction of Josemi Carmona, a direct heir to one of the most illustrious guitar lineages in the history of flamenco, Los Habichuela.

The guitar is the national instrument of flamenco, an omnipresent link for the world of deep flamenco, being a faithful companion to singing and dancing. In Navarre, the land of Tío Sabicas, it is fair to give “the six strings instrument” the prominence it deserves. Precisely from this idea arises the idea of “Alzapúa”. “Alzapúa", in its second edition, will once again feature four contemporary guitarists representing four guitar schools that not only endure but also renew and flourish the instrument with a new aesthetic, discourse, and sensitivity: Josemi Carmona from Granada, Diego del Morao from Jerez, Rycardo Moreno from Lebrija, and Dani de Morón from Morón. This is a unique encounter, which this year will include guest artists such as the brilliant Farruquito in dance, and in singing, Lela Soto and Delia Membrive.

Josemi Carmona is an eclectic guitarist and producer of international stature, admired and venerated by his flamenco peers and great jazz musicians. It would be impossible to capture his trajectory as an artist and producer in a brief profile. The whole Universe can fit in a single harmonic of his. Some of the most wonderful phrases and compositions of contemporary flamenco guitar have been born from his hands. Diego del Morao - who, in addition to being the current patriarch of the Morao toque (playing), is one of the most brilliant and unpredictable guitarists in the flamenco scene - accompanies him. He has accompanied all the greatest flamenco singers of our time with an intuition and a sense of rhythm like a true prodigy. We will also have Rycardo Moreno, who this year has handed over the artistic direction to Josemi Carmona to focus entirely on his role as a composer and performer. His albums Varekai and Agaleano have placed him at the forefront of the most daring flamenco guitar. And finally, we will have Dani de Morón, an artist who proudly carries the name of the Sevillian town where he has lived all his life. As he says, Morón is a land of guitars, a town that preserves the simple and ancient toque of a school led by Diego del Gastor and represents a tradition that Dani knows and deeply respects. He has transcended to fly in search of new musical galaxies, he is a true “poker of aces” of flamenco guitar.

Farruquito needs no introduction; he is a heritage of flamenco dance. He is racial and contemporary, with talents ranging from work ethic to rhythmic, stylistic, and conceptual beauty, he will showcase his dance with no more additives than the guitars of Josemi, Diego, Rycardo, and Dani. El cante (the singing) will be a privileged “guest” at Alzapúa II, entrusted to two young artists who perfectly represent two singing territories: Jerez and Málaga. Lela Soto belongs to one of the most distinguished Jerez lineages, the “Sordera”. She is the daughter of Vicente Soto, granddaughter of Manuel Soto Monje, the youngest heiress of this legacy: rhythm and beat. Delia Membrive, sea and mountain, race dressed in velvet, flawless singing, and a bastion of the Malaga singing style.

Artistic Cast: 

Josemi Carmona (Artistic Direction) 

Josemi Carmona, Diego del Morao, Rycardo Moreno, and Dani de Morón (Guitar) 

Farruquito (Dance) 

Lela Soto and Delia Membrive (Singing)