Juan Carlos Romero

Spanish flamenco composer and guitarist. Born in Huelva on August 18th, 1964, he started out at the age of eight under the guidance of his father, an amateur guitarist. At ten, he began to take lessons from Miguel "El Tomate de Almería", who also initiated some important guitarists including his own son Niño Miguel and his grandson Tomatito. He began his first experiences with cante and baile accompaniment in Matilde Coral's and Rafael el Negro's dance school, and later on with Manolo Marín and "El Mimbre". His guitar has adorned the cante of first-line artists such as José Mercé, Turronero, Chano Lobato, Paco Toronjo, Boquer"n, etc... Shortly afterwards he was awarded with Premio Nacional de Guitarra in the prestigious contest of Jerez de la Frontera, in the specialty of concert guitarist. He took part on several tours with Manolo Sanlúcar, in addition to participating in his recording work with pieces for guitar and orchestra such as "Soleá" or "Medea", which were composed for Spain's Ballet Nacional. This important and fruitful part of his career was decisive in the maturity and solidification of his ever more demanding artistic personality. In 1992, with the Exposición Universal de Sevilla, he participated as first guitarist in Rafael Alberti's work "La Gallarda", along with grand voices and actors such as Montserrat Caballé, Ana Belén, José Sacristán, the choreography of José Antonio, and Orquesta Sinfónica de Gran Canaria. He was asked to play for the soundtrack and eventual filming of the movies directed by Carlos Saura, "Sevillanas" and "Flamenco", which included an extensive list of the most important artists of flamenco cante, baile and guitar. The 1994 Bienal de Sevilla presented the debut of the work "A oscuras" which opened in the Teatro de la Maestranza with the participation of Enrique Morente and Esperanza Fernández. He shared the stage with the singer Carmen Linares in the Spain-wide tour with the work "La Parrala". His compositions are in demand and are interpreted by Rocío Jurado, Enrique Morente, Carmen Linares, and El Pele, for whom he has also recorded and produced several recordings in addition to numerous television appearances. In 1997 he released "Azulejo", the title of his first solo recording, and with this he received public and critical recognition for his work as concert player and composer. In 1998 in Seville's Xth Bienal de Arte Flamenco, he presented "Abana"", a show created and directed by him, adding the dancing of Eva "La Yerbabuena" to his guitar compositions, and cantes interpreted by El Pele and La Susi. The audience's enthusiastic response as well as the critical praise that appeared in the various communication media, endorsed the success obtained by this work. In January, 1999 Compañía Andaluza de Danza chose his music for a show titled "Un ramito de locura". In 2000 he composed and played guitar for Carmen Linares in her production "The light, the joy and the melancholy" In 2001 composed, played and produced a CD for singer Arcángel (2), and played on his tour that same year. In 2002 and in the XII Bienal de Arte Flamenco he presented the show "Ritmo Jondo" with "De las Arts & Big Band" orchestra, doing flamenco compositions with symphonic processing and accompaniment of brass band. In that Biennial he presented the work of Cervantes "Rinconete y Cortadillo" with the choreography of Javier Latorre and whose musical composition was the duty of Juan Carlos Romero and contemporary musician Mauricio Sotelo, this ballet was awarded in that biennial and the musical work was extensively recognised. In 2003 he collaborated in "Territorio Flamenco" with flamenco singers Carmen Linares and Estrella Morente. In the same year he released his second solo CD called "Romero", with "Harmonia Mundi" label, with contributions of artists as Eva "La Yerbabuena" or Estrella Morente. He received the 2004 Spanish critics award. With the sponsor of the Agencia para el Desarrollo del Flamenco, he createD "El eterno retorno" a expectacle for the dancer Rocío Molina. In 2006 singer Miguel Poveda presented his new CD "Tierra de calma".with lyrics and music by Juan Carlos Romero. The 2008 Bienal of Seville presented the debut of "Raíces y Alas" show, with Carmen Linares and guitar, composition and music direction by Juan Carlos Romero.