Paco Peña embodies both authenticity and innovation in flamenco. As guitarist, composer, dramatist, producer and artistic mentor he has transformed perceptions of this archetypal Spanish art form.
Born in the Andalucian city of Córdoba, Paco Peña made his first professional appearance at the age of 12 and in the late 1960s he left Spain for London, where his recitals of flamenco music captured the public imagination. Venues for his solo performances have included the intimate Ronnie Scott’s Jazz Club and the monumental Royal Albert Hall in London, New York’s Carnegie Hall and the Concertgebouw, in Amsterdam.
Since his landmark Misa Flamenca, a 1991 setting of the Mass, juxtaposing Peña’s company with a classical choir, Peña has always pushed the boundaries with his music, incorporating the intentaional influences you find in London, whteher African or Latin Americcan, into his Flamenco roots.
Flamenco sin Fronteras explored the 20th century Spanish emigration experience in South America to Quimeras, which tells the story of a group arriving in Spain from Africa in search of work, marrying traditional Spanish and African music and dance, described as “breathtakingly beautiful” (Daily Telegraph) after its world premiere.
There is no better example of an artist that has explored the best of London’s diversity and multiculturalism London whilst cherishing his Spanish roots to make simply beautiful music
