Tomatito

José Fernández Torres, known as Tomatito (born Fondón, 1958), is a Spanish roma flamenco guitarist and composer. Having started his career accompanying famed flamenco singer Camarón de la Isla (with Paco de Lucía), he has made a number of collaborative albums and six solo albums, two of which have won Latin Grammy Awards.[1]

In this Spanish name, the first or paternal surname is Fernández and the second or maternal family name is Torres.
Tomatito
Tomatito in Alhóndiga de Granaditas in 2016
Tomatito in Alhóndiga de Granaditas in 2016
Background information
Birth nameJosé Fernández Torres
Also known asTomatito
Born (1958-08-20) August 20, 1958
OriginFondón, Almería
Genres
Occupation(s)
  • Musician
  • composer
Instrument(s)Flamenco guitar
Years active1980s-present
WebsiteTomatito.com

Biography

Beginnings, Camarón de la Isla

Jose Fernandez Torres grew up in a musical family, which included two guitar playing uncles: Niño Miguel, a flamenco guitarist, and Antonio, a professional guitarist.

Tomatito, who had been playing clubs in Andalucía, became a flamenco sensation when he was discovered by guitarist Paco de Lucía. He accompanied legendary flamenco singer Camarón de la Isla for two decades. With Paco and Camarón he recorded four albums, and had a 1979 hit called "La Leyenda del Tiempo". Their album Paris 87 won a Latin Grammy for best flamenco album in 2000. Their partnership continued until Camarón's death in 1992.[2]

Later career

Tomatito's music blends 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 singers Duquende and Potito and pianist Chano Domínguez, among others. A collaboration with pianist Michel Camilo produced the albums Spain (2000), which won a Latin Grammy,[2] and Spain Again (2006).

Tomatito has produced six solo albums. His 2005 album Aguadulce won a Latin Grammy for best flamenco album, and in 2010 he won his second solo Latin Grammy for Sonanta Suite.[3]

His music for the film Vengo, directed by Tony Gatlif, won the César Award for Best Music Written for a Film in 2001.

On March 11, 2019, he was awarded by the Premio Flamenco Radio of Canal Sur.[4]

Style and instruments

Tomatito incorporates elements of jazz in his style of flamenco; both, he says, "emerged as a response to discrimination, a cry of suffering, or the joy of liberation". Half of what he plays is improvised, he said. He frequently employs the Phrygian mode, and his favorite tuning is D, A, D, G, B♭, D.[2]

He plays guitars made by Manuel Reyes, and uses (and endorses) strings by Savarez.[2]

Discography

Solo albums

Singles
  • 2012: "Mi Santa" Ft Romeo

With Camarón de la Isla and Paco de Lucía
  • 1981: "Como El Agua"
  • 1983: "Calle Real"
  • 1984: "Vivire"
  • 1992: "Potro de Rabia y Miel"

With Camarón de la Isla
  • 1979: "La Leyenda del Tiempo"
  • 1986: "Te lo Dice Camarón"
  • 1987: "Flamenco Vivo"
  • 1989: "Soy Gitano"
  • 1994: "Camarón Nuestro"
  • 1999: Paris 1987

References
  1. Amela, Víctor; Sanchís, Ima; Amiguet, Lluís (October 15, 2010). Guerrero, Laura (ed.). "Soy un gitano que paga sus impuestos". La Vanguardia (in Spanish). Retrieved May 31, 2019.
  2. Cleveland, Barry (January 2014). "Gypsy Genome: Tomatito Reaffirms His Flamenco Essence on Soy Flamenco". Guitar Player.
  3. "Tomatito wins the Flamenco Latin Grammy for the second time". Archived from the original on November 21, 2010. Retrieved April 1, 2012.
  4. "El guitarrista Tomatito es galardonado con el Premio Flamenco Radio de Canal Sur". Diario de Almería (in Spanish). Joly Digital. February 26, 2019. Retrieved May 31, 2019.
  5. ""Sonanta Suite", nuevo disco de Tomatito". Ámbito Cultural (in Spanish). El Corte Inglés. April 26, 2010. Archived from the original on June 29, 2012. Retrieved May 31, 2019.
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