Tomatito
Encyclopedia
José Fernández Torres, known as Tomatito (born Almería
, 1958), is a Spanish
Romani (Gypsy) flamenco
guitarist. He grew up in a musical family, including two uncles: Niño Miguel, a flamenco guitarist, and Antonio, a professional guitarist.
Tomatito became a flamenco sensation at an early age when he was discovered by famed guitarist Paco de Lucía
and began working in part with legendary flamenco singer Camarón de la Isla
.
In 1979, the trio produced a hit called La Leyenda del Tiempo. Their partnership continued until Camarón's death in 1992.
A later collaboration included pianist Michel Camilo
, producing the albums Spain (2000) and Spain Again (2006).
Tomatito's music is a unique mix of traditional flamenco and jazz. On some albums, such as Barrio Negro, he experimented with Afro-Cuban and Brazilian Music
. He has also worked with flamenco singer Duquende
and pianist Chano Domínguez
among many others.
Tomatito has produced six solo albums.
His music for the film Vengo
, directed by Tony Gatlif
, won the César Award for Best Music Written for a Film
in 2001.
Four years later, he won a Latin Grammy for Best Flamenco Record, for his album Aguadulce.
with Camarón and Paco de Lucía
with Camarón
Almería
Almería is a city in Andalusia, Spain, on the Mediterranean Sea. It is the capital of the province of the same name.-Toponym:Tradition says that the name Almería stems from the Arabic المرية Al-Mariyya: "The Mirror", comparing it to "The Mirror of the Sea"...
, 1958), is a Spanish
Spain
Spain , officially the Kingdom of Spain languages]] under the European Charter for Regional or Minority Languages. In each of these, Spain's official name is as follows:;;;;;;), is a country and member state of the European Union located in southwestern Europe on the Iberian Peninsula...
Romani (Gypsy) flamenco
Flamenco
Flamenco is a genre of music and dance which has its foundation in Andalusian music and dance and in whose evolution Andalusian Gypsies played an important part....
guitarist. He grew up in a musical family, including two uncles: Niño Miguel, a flamenco guitarist, and Antonio, a professional guitarist.
Tomatito became a flamenco sensation at an early age when he was discovered by famed guitarist Paco de Lucía
Paco de Lucía
Paco de Lucía, born Francisco Sánchez Gómez , is a Spanish virtuoso flamenco guitarist and composer. He is considered by many to be one of the finest guitarists in the world and the greatest guitarist of the flamenco genre...
and began working in part with legendary flamenco singer Camarón de la Isla
Camarón de la Isla
Camarón de la Isla , was the stage name of a spanish flamenco singer José Monje Cruz who is sometimes also credited as Camarón de la Isla....
.
In 1979, the trio produced a hit called La Leyenda del Tiempo. Their partnership continued until Camarón's death in 1992.
A later collaboration included pianist Michel Camilo
Michel Camilo
Michel Camilo is a pianist and composer from Santo Domingo, Dominican Republic. He specializes in jazz, Latin and classical piano work...
, producing the albums Spain (2000) and Spain Again (2006).
Tomatito's music is a unique mix of traditional flamenco and jazz. On some albums, such as Barrio Negro, he experimented with Afro-Cuban and Brazilian Music
Music of Brazil
The music of Brazil encompasses various regional music styles influenced by African, European and Amerindian forms. After 500 years of history, Brazilian music developed some unique and original styles such as samba, zouk-lambada, lambada, choro, bossa nova, frevo, maracatu, MPB, sertanejo,...
. He has also worked with flamenco singer Duquende
Duquende
Juan Rafael Cortés Santiago, known as Duquende , is a Spanish flamenco cantaor . Born in Sabadell, Spain, Duquende is considered a successor to influential Flamenco singer Camarón de la Isla...
and pianist Chano Domínguez
Chano Domínguez
Chano Domínguez is a Latin jazz, post bop and flamenco jazz pianist. He began in the progressive rock group CAI before moving on to jazz...
among many others.
Tomatito has produced six solo albums.
His music for the film Vengo
Vengo (film)
Vengo is a 2000 Spanish film by Tony Gatlif. It is the passionate story of a blood feud that centers on Caco, a proud man who must fight for his family's honor and safety...
, directed by Tony Gatlif
Tony Gatlif
Tony Gatlif is a French film director of Romani ethnicity who also works as a screenwriter, composer, actor, and producer.- Biography :...
, won the César Award for Best Music Written for a Film
César Award for Best Music Written for a Film
This is the list of winners and nominees of the César Award for Best Music Written for a Film . Before 2000, the award was called "César Award for Best Music".-1970s:...
in 2001.
Four years later, he won a Latin Grammy for Best Flamenco Record, for his album Aguadulce.
Partial discography
Solo Albums- 1987: Rosas del Amor
- 1991: Barrio Negro
- 1997: Guitarra Gitana
- 2000: Spain (with Michel CamiloMichel CamiloMichel Camilo is a pianist and composer from Santo Domingo, Dominican Republic. He specializes in jazz, Latin and classical piano work...
) - 2001: Paseo de los Castaños
- 2004: Aguadulce
- 2006: Spain Again (with Michel CamiloMichel CamiloMichel Camilo is a pianist and composer from Santo Domingo, Dominican Republic. He specializes in jazz, Latin and classical piano work...
) - 2010: Sonanta Suite (with Josep PonsJosep PonsJosep Pons is a Spanish conductor. He is the current conductor of the Spanish National Orchestra.-External links:**...
)
with Camarón and Paco de Lucía
- "Como El Agua"
- "Calle Real (album)Calle Real (album)Calle Real is a 1983 album by Andalusian flamenco singer Camarón, with the collaboration of Paco de Lucía and Tomatito.-Track listing:#"Romance de la Luna" – 4:05#"Esclavo de Tus Besos" – 4:18#"Yo Vivo Enamorao" – 4:01#"Yo Soy el Viento" – 3:23...
" - "Vivire"
with Camarón
- 1979: "La Leyenda del TiempoLa Leyenda del TiempoLa Leyenda del Tiempo is the tenth album by Spanish singer Camarón. It is usually regarded as one of the most important albums in the history of flamenco music.-Track listing:#"La Leyenda del Tiempo" – 3:41...
" - "Soy Gitano"
- "Potro de Rabia y Miel"
- 1999: Paris 1987
External links
- www.tomatito.com Tomatito Website
- Tomatito - Biography, discography, video collection and bibliography.
- Flamenco Forum