The second edition of the Flamenco Guitar Festival of the Community of Madrid (Festival de la Guitarra Flamenca de la Comunidad de Madrid) will be held at Teatros del Canal from April 24 to 27, 2025. It honors the legacy of Sabicas, the pioneering guitarist from Pamplona. The event features performances by Paco Jarana, Dani de Morón, Manuel Valencia, and David de Arahal, alongside discussions and concerts dedicated to Sabicas’ contributions to flamenco. The festival was introduced by Gonzalo Cabrera, Director General of Culture and Creative Industries, and artistic director Antonio Benamargo.
According to Benamargo, the festival fulfills a longstanding wish among flamenco artists and aficionados in Madrid. Its inaugural edition exceeded expectations in both artistic success and ticket sales.
This year, Paco Jarana will open the festival on April 24. A recipient of the 2006 Giraldillo al Toque at the Seville Biennial, Jarana is known for his extensive collaborations with flamenco legends such as Mario Maya and Enrique Morente. His performance will feature singer Segundo Falcón and dancer Eva Yerbabuena.
On April 25, Dani de Morón will take the stage. A Giraldillo winner in 2012, his career took off under the mentorship of Paco de Lucía. He has explored jazz influences in his recordings, including Cambio de Sentido (2012) and Empatía (2024). His performance includes singer La Tremendita and dancer Patricia Guerrero.
Manuel Valencia is set to perform on April 26, joined by singer Esperanza Fernández and dancer Manuel Liñán. A native of Jerez, Valencia was mentored by Fernando Terremoto and won the Giraldillo Revelation Award in 2014. His recent work, Las Tr3s Orillas, explores various facets of flamenco guitar.
David de Arahal closes the festival on April 27. Awarded the 2024 Giraldillo Revelation, he has collaborated with artists such as Pepe de Lucía and Estrella Morente. His 2024 album Callejón del Arte cements his place among the new generation of flamenco guitarists. Singer Sandra Carrasco and dancer José Maya will accompany him.
Discussions and Concerts on Sabicas’ Legacy
The festival also includes parallel events at Teatros del Canal. On April 22, a roundtable discussion, “Sabicas: A New Sound in Flamenco Guitar,” moderated by journalist Pedro Calvo, will feature experts such as José Manuel Gamboa and guitarist Alejandro Hurtado. A concert by Javier Conde will follow.
On April 23, José Manuel Gamboa presents “The Influence of Sabicas in Madrid and New York,” followed by a performance by Jerónimo Maya.
The final session on April 24 features “The Caño Roto Guitar School,” a talk by Pablo San Nicasio, with a concert by Jesús de Rosario, David Cerreduela, and Israel Cerreduela.
The Impact of Sabicas
Born Agustín Castellón Campos in Pamplona in 1912, Sabicas was a self-taught guitarist who debuted at age seven. He moved to Madrid at ten and gained recognition performing at venues such as Teatro El Dorado. By the 1930s, he toured Spain with flamenco icons including Niña de los Peines and Pepe Pinto.
In 1936, he left for the Americas with Carmen Amaya, touring extensively until settling in New York in 1956. His influence expanded internationally, redefining flamenco guitar with his virtuosity and technical innovations. Juan Carmona “Habichuela” recounted how Sabicas’ album Flamenco Puro revolutionized the flamenco guitar world after its release in 1964.
More information at madrid.org/sumaflamenca/2025/guitarra/
Author: World Music Central News Room
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