(headline image: Álvaro Martinete, winner of II premio SGAE Paco de Lucia – Photo by José Antonio de Lamadrid / Fundación SGAE)
Granada-born guitarist Álvaro Martinete has won the Second SGAE Flamenco Award Paco de Lucía for his composition “Acera del Darro,” a soleá por bulerías dedicated to his homeland, the Vega de Granada. The jury announced the winner on Friday, June 7, at the Teatro Central in Seville during the final gala organized by the SGAE Foundation, in collaboration with the Andalusian Flamenco Institute and the Paco de Lucía Foundation.
Martinete outperformed eight other flamenco artists and groups who showcased their talent at the event. Upon receiving the first prize, worth 6,000 euros, from Paco de Lucía’s brother, Pepe de Lucía, Martinete expressed his honor at winning an award named after “the maestro of flamenco.” He appreciated that the award values not only execution but also composition.
The expert jury that selected Martinete included renowned flamenco composers and musicians Juan Carmona; Antonio Serrano; José Fernández ‘Tomatito’; and Dorantes; along with Lucía Sánchez Varela representing the Paco de Lucía Foundation. Juan Carmona, the flamenco coordinator for the SGAE Foundation, noted the decision was “very difficult,” particularly between the first and second prizes, with Martinete’s stage presence tipping the scales in his favor.
The ceremony began with Antonio Gonzalo, president of the SGAE Territorial Council, who highlighted the awards’ goal to “promote new flamenco talents who will carry on this deeply cultural art form.” He also pointed out the significant presence of two female artists in this edition, calling it “a small step forward in breaking the glass ceiling in flamenco.”
Rubén Gutiérrez, the director-general of the SGAE Foundation, closed the ceremony by celebrating the event as a “profoundly ethical and beautiful human truth” amidst “times of wars and catastrophes.”
Complete Awards List
In addition to Martinete’s first prize, three other awards were given:
- Manuel Valencia, a guitarist from Jerez, won the second prize (3,000 euros) for “Tierra negra,” presented by Juan Carmona.
- Francisco Roca, a flutist from Huelva, received the third prize (1,500 euros) for “La olvidada,” presented by Cristóbal Ortega from the Andalusian Flamenco Institute.
- The final award was given to Mercedes Luján from Murcia for “Taranta para Paco,” dedicated to Paco de Lucía, presented by Lucía Sánchez Varela, the maestro’s daughter.
About the Winner and His Work
Álvaro Martinete is a leading figure among the new generation of flamenco guitarists. Trained by masters such as Manolo Sanlúcar, Rafael Soler, and Miguel Ochando, Martinete, at just 29 years old, has already garnered several awards and performed at prestigious festivals like Madrid’s Suma Flamenca and the Jerez Festival. He won the Second SGAE Flamenco Award Paco de Lucía with a beautiful soleá por bulería for guitar and cajón, titled “Acera del Darro,” dedicated to his homeland, the Vega de Granada.
About the SGAE Flamenco Award, Paco de Lucía
The SGAE Flamenco Award Paco de Lucía was established in 2021 by the SGAE Foundation, in collaboration with the Andalusian Flamenco Institute and the Paco de Lucía Foundation, to encourage and recognize flamenco composers. The inaugural winner in 2022 was pianist Juan Pérez Rodríguez for his work “Contrarreloj.”
Author: World Music Central News Room
World music news from the editors at World Music Central