Flamenco singer Rafael Usero Vilches, better known as Rafael de Utrera, was born on July 14, 1973 in Utrera, Spain.
Rafael grew up in an environment surrounded by flamenco. His father owned a tavern in Utrera called “El Punto” that gave opportunities to local flamenco singers who were slaughterhouse and farm workers. Rafael learned how to sing in this atmosphere and by the age of ten, he was performing through Andalucia (southern Spain) with his brother.
Rafael attracted attention in the flamenco scene in 1997 when acclaimed Spanish flamenco dancer Cristina Hoyos invited him to join her ensemble on her world tour.
In 2000, famed guitarist Paco de Lucía recruited Rafael to accompany his world tour in Europe, Japan, and the Americas.
Rafael also collaborated with guitarist Vicente Amigo, the Netherlands’ Metropole Orchestra, guitarist J. Antonio Rodríguez, pianist Hans Vroomans, percussionist Udo Demandt and Trio Arbós.
Rafael’s awards include the first prize of Seguiriyas at the prestigious Festival of Cante de las Minas de La Unión, and the Mostachón de Oro in Utrera.
Rafael de Utrera is married to flamenco dancer Carmen Lozano.
Discography:
Pozo y Caudal, with Niño de Pura (Senador, 2002)
Córdoba en el tiempo, with J. Antonio Rodríguez (Universal, 2007)
A Contratiempo, with Paco Escobar (2008)
Paseo de Gracia, with Vicente Amigo (Sony BMG, 2009)
El viento (The García Lorca Project), with Vicente Mendoza & The Metropole Orchestra (ACT Music, 2009)
Planísimo flamenco, with Manolo Carrasco (Eagles Records, 2012)
La Memoria de los Sentidos, with Vicente Amigo (Sony BMG, 2018)
Travesías, with Trío Arbós (Sacratif, 2019)
Author: Angel Romero
Angel Romero y Ruiz has dedicated his life to musical exploration. His efforts included the creation of two online portals, worldmusiccentral.org and musicasdelmundo.com. In addition, Angel is the co-founder of the Transglobal World Music Chart, a panel of world music DJs and writers that celebrates global sounds. Furthermore, he delved into the record business, producing world music studio albums and compilations. His works have appeared on Alula Records, Ellipsis Arts, Indígena Records and Music of the World.