On Thursday, September 22, 2022, guitarist José del Tomate, singer Ismael “El Bola” and dancer Alba Heredia will inaugurate the second edition of Suma Flamenca Joven, a prelude to the Suma Flamenca festival organized by the Community of Madrid regional government.
Suma Flamenca Joven, which highlights the new and emerging flamenco artists under 30 years of age, will take place until September 25 in the Green Room of Madrid’s Teatros del Canal, and consists of four galas made up of cante (song), baile (dance) and concert guitar.
At the first gala (8:00 p.m.), the audience will be introduced to the sounds of Almeria-born guitarist José del Tomate. Son of Tomatito and great-grandson of Miguel Fernández Cortés “El Tomate”, from whom he took his nickname, he has just released his first album, Plaza Vieja. Next, a performance by Sevillian cantaor Ismael “El Bola”, born in 1995, who made his debut at the age of 7. With a long career despite his youth, in 2018 he recorded his first album, Flamenco directo.
The final show that day will present Granada-born bailaora (dancer) Alba Heredia, who won the Desplante Minero award at La Unión in 2015. Recently, after the pandemic break, she left her mark with her show Alba & Lando at the Teatro Real in Madrid as part of the Flamenco Real series.
On September 23, the young Sevillie-born guitarist David de Arahal is set to perform. His debut album Mar Verde was one of the finest releases of 2021. After Arahal, a concert by the cantaora from La Línea, Teresa Hernández, winner last year of the II Zamara Music National Cante Contest 2021. Brazilian bailaor Gabriel Matías will close the second gala. Born in Porto Alegre, in 2015 he moved to Madrid and in 2022 he premiered his first show, Ellos, at the Festival Flamenco de Jerez.
A day later, at the third gala, a guitar concert by Álvaro Mora, from Huelva, the brand-new Bordón Minero winner at La Unión 2022. In the cante category, Juanfra Carrasco, from Badajoz, will perform. In 2011 won the award from the Badajoz Provincial Council. Lastly, Ana Latorre, from Córdoba, will present her dance show. In 2018, she premiered her first show of her own, Leiva Yo a Cuenta.
The final gala will be starred by the Alicante guitarist Alejandro Hurtado, Bordón Minero Award at La Unión 2017; the singer from Seville, Manuel de la Tomasa, a descendant of one of the most important flamenco singer dynasties, and the Malaga-born dancer Águeda Saavedra, winner of the 2022 Festival de Jerez Award for New Artists.
(headline image: Ana Latorre – Photo by Paco Manzano)
Author: World Music Central News Room
World music news from the editors at World Music Central