New York City is set to honor the legendary guitarist Paco de Lucía through a major festival from February 20 to 24, 2024. This significant occasion, recognized as The Paco de Lucia Legacy Festival, will honor the tenth anniversary of the departure of the influential flamenco virtuoso from Algeciras, Spain, whose profound effect has reverberated among numerous musicians globally.
The program will feature performers who once shared a personal connection with Paco de Lucía, such as Al Di Meola and Rubén Blades. They will be joined by some of today’s most prominent flamenco creators, including Diego ‘El Cigala’, José Mercé, Carmen Linares, Rafael Riqueni, Niño Josele, and Farruquito. Moreover, musicians who once performed with Paco de Lucía, such as Jorge Pardo, Antonio Serrano, Rubem Dantas, José María Bandera, Antonio Sánchez, Israel Suárez ‘Piraña’, Alain Pérez, and Carles Benavent, among others, will be part of this historic festival.
These renowned artists will celebrate the innovative maestro, “demonstrating that flamenco can cross borders and mix with other styles such as classical, jazz or Latin American music, once again promoting the cultural richness that exists in the inherent diversity of flamenco,” as noted on the website for the Festival’s programmer, the Paco de Lucía Foundation.
February 20-24 in New York City
A grand opening night at Carnegie Hall in Manhattan on February 20, will mark the beginning of five busy days in which the composer of Solo Quiero Caminar (‘I Only Want to Walk”) and Entre Dos Aguas (“Between Two Waters”) will be recognized as the guitar legend that he is, a unique creator who transcended the limits of flamenco to leave a universal legacy.
Among the featured performers of the night are dancers Karime Amaya, Farru and Farruquito; guitarists Al Di Meola, Josemi Carmona, Yerai Cortés, Antonio Rey, Rafael Riqueni, Niño Josele, J.M. Bandera and Pepe Habichuela; vocalists Rubén Blades, Diego ‘El Cigala’, Duquende, Chonchi Heredia, Salif Keita, Carmen Linares, José Mercé, Sílvia Pérez Cruz and Makarines; bassists Carles Benavent and Alain Pérez; double bassist Javier Colina; percussionists Rubem Dantas, Tino Di Geraldo and Israel Suárez “Piraña”; kora player Madou Diabaté; pianist Chano Domínguez; flutist Jorge Pardo; vocalist/cellist Nesrine Belmokh and harmonica player Antonio Serrano.
On February 21st, three different programs around the city will put flamenco music in the spotlight. Co-Musical Directors Arturo O’Farrill and Alex Conde will lead the Afro Latin Jazz Orchestra in a program of Paco de Lucía’s most emblematic songs at Symphony Space. Paco will also be remembered in a two-set concert at Le Poisson Rouge featuring Jorge Pardo, Chano Dominguez, Javier Colina, and Silvia Pérez Cruz. And Instituto Cervantes will host the presentation of César Suárez’s book, “El Enigma Paco de Lucía,” offering valuable insights into the legendary artist’s life.
On February 22, the cajón master Israel Suárez “Piraña” and Makarines (brothers José and Maka Ibañez) will give a rhythm master class at NYU-KJCC while The Town Hall will present Flamenco Meets New York, an unprecedented meeting between flamenco artists and leading stars of Jazz, Latin, and World music. The program features Niño Josele, Rubén Blades, Josemi Carmona, Salif Keita, Antonio Rey, Richard Bona, Pepe Habichuela and a surprise special guest in a spectacular evening including flamenco dancers Farruquito, Karime Amaya and Farru. The program will also feature Alain Pérez, Rafael Riqueni, Antonio Sánchez, and Silvia Pérez Cruz in a concert that transcends musical boundaries and musical traditions.
On February 23, Instituto Cervantes New York will host Puro Flamenco, a recital starring Pepe Habichuela, Rafael Riqueni, and Carmen Linares, among others.
Other events, including a screening of the film ‘La búsqueda’ (‘The Search’) by Paco de Lucia’s son, Curro Sánchez, will round out the New York City festival.
The Paco de Lucía Legacy Festival is presented by Julio Martí of Serious Fan Music (Artistic Director of the Festival), and Josemi Carmona, Antonio Serrano, Farru and Piraña, (Musical Directors), with the collaboration of Laura Poggio, Música Creativa.
This festival in New York City is the kickoff to an anniversary that will include other milestones, such as the debut of a previously unreleased album by Paco de Lucía.
As the Foundation notes, “Paco’s creative talent, his execution, and his capacity for continuous innovation are recognized beyond flamenco, by the best guitarists and musicians on the planet. There are few figures so indisputable in music; few artists with such an extensive and enduring career, without criticism. His is a case of genius, in every sense exceptional.”
Program + Ticketing Information:
Tuesday, February 20 at 7:30 p.m. Paco de Lucía Festival @ Carnegie Hall.
Stern Auditorium / Perelman Stage at Carnegie Hall. 57th Street & 7th Avenue, New York City
Tickets: $23-$120. Reserve at www.carnegiehall.org or call Carnegie Charge 212-247-7800.
Program: The festival kickstarts with this one-night musical tribute by 32+ artists.
Performers: Dancers Karime Amaya, Farru and Farruquito; guitarists Al Di Meola, Josemi Carmona, Yerai Cortés, Antonio Rey, Rafael Riqueni, Niño Josele, J.M.Bandera and Pepe Habichuela; vocalists Rubén Blades, Diego ‘El Cigala’, Duquende, Chonchi Heredia, Salif Keita, Carmen Linares, José Mercé, Sílvia Pérez Cruz and Makarines; Featuring Carles Benavent and Alain Pérez (bass), Javier Colina (double bass); Rubem Dantas, Tino Di Geraldo and Israel Suárez ‘Piraña’ (percussion); Madou Diabaté (kora); Chano Domínguez (piano); Jorge Pardo (flute); Nesrine Belmokh (voice and cello), Antonio Serrano (harmonica), and more.
Wednesday, February 21 at 6:00 p.m. Paco de Lucía Legacy Festival @ Instituto Cervantes
Instituto Cervantes, 211-215 East 49th St, New York City Tickets: FREE https://nyork.cervantes.es
Program: Presentation of César Suárez’s book ‘El enigma Paco de Lucía’ and concert: ‘Masters vs. Young Promises’.
Wednesday, February 21 at 7:10 p.m. Paco de Lucía Festival @ Symphony Space
Symphony Space, Peter Jay Sharp Theatre, 2537 Broadway, New York City
Tickets: $20-$50. To reserve, visit wwww.symphonyspace.org or call Box Office at 212-864-5400.
Program: Arturo O’Farrill and The Afro-Latin Jazz Orchestra perform an evening of arrangements of Paco de Lucía’s compositions, under the joint musical direction of Arturo O’Farrill and Valencian pianist and arrange Alex Conde.
Performers: Arturo O’Farrill and the Afro-Latin Jazz Orchestra, Alex Conde (piano), Antonio Rey (flamenco guitar), Chonchi Heredia (vocals), Karime Amaya (dancer), Antonio Serrano (harmonica), and Rubem Dantas (Brazilian percussion).
Wednesday, February 21 at 7:00 p.m. Paco de Lucía Festival @ Le Poisson Rouge
Le Poisson Rouge, 158 Bleecker Street, New York City
Tickets: $35-$65. Reserve at https://lpr.com/lpr_events/paco24/ or visit the LPR Box Office.
Program: Le Poisson Rouge hosts some of the most significant flamenco artists from Andalucia, who performed with Paco de Lucía. The first set, ‘De Cerca’, comprises the work of Josemi Carmona, Javier Colina, featuring Israel Saurez ‘Piraña’ and guest singer Silvia Perez Cruz. Jorge Pardo and pianist Chano Dominguez lead the second set in their vibrant tribute to the genius of Paco by performing 10 de Paco, a project reinterpreting the best-known melodies without guitar, featuring Farru (dancer), who was part of the Paco de Lucia global tour.
Performers: Josemi Carmona, Javier Colina, ‘Piraña’, Sílvia Pérez Cruz, Jorge Pardo, Chano Dominguez, Tino di Geraldo, with guest dancer Farru.
Thursday, Feb 22 at 12:00 p.m. Paco de Lucía Festival: Flamenco Master Class @ NYU-KJCC
NYU-KJCC, 53 Washington Square South, New York City
Tickets: FREE and open to the public. Reservations strongly encouraged. Register at KJCC.org..
Program: Percussionist Israel Suarez ‘Piraña’ and the vocal-and-percussion duo Makarines will give a rhythm master class. A Q&A session and reception will follow the master class.
Thursday, February 22 at 7:30 p.m. Paco de Lucía Festival @ The Town Hall
Town Hall, 123 West 43rd Street, New York City
Tickets: https://thetownhall.org/event/paco-de-lucia-legacy-flamenco-summits-meets-new-york
Reserve at www.pacodelucialegacy.com or call the Box Office at 212-997-6661.
Program: A special gala called Flamenco Meets New York will feature a unprecedented meeting between flamenco artists and leading Latin, Jazz and African musicians.
Performers: Niño Josele, Rubén Blades, Josemi Carmona, Salif Keita, Antonio Rey, Richard Bona, Pepe Habichuela, Farruquito, Farru, Karime Amaya, Alain Pérez, Rafael Riqueni, Antonio Sánchez, Sílvia Pérez Cruz.
Friday, February 23 at 6:00 p.m. Paco de Lucía Festival @ Institute Cervantes
Instituto Cervantes, 211-215 East 49th Street, New York City
Tickets: FREE and open to the public. First come, first served.
Program: Puro Flamenco recital.
Performers: Pepe Habichuela, Rafael Riqueni, and Carmen Linares
Friday, February 23 at 7:30 p.m. Paco de Lucía Festival @ Mercado
Mercado, Little Spain Market, 10 Hudson Yards, New York City
Tickets: FREE and open to the public. First come, first served.
Program: Fiesta Flamenca concert.
Saturday, February 24 Paco de Lucía Festival – details TBA
Program: A screening of the film ‘La búsqueda’ (‘The Search’) by Paco de Lucia’s son, Curro Sánchez, followed by a concert.
More information at pacodelucialegacy.com.
Author: World Music Central News Room
World music news from the editors at World Music Central