Many scholars generally agree that the original forms of Flamenco were sung without instrumental accompaniment. Guitar, the national and most popular instrument of Spain, developed to its present structure and form, gradually became an integral part of Flamenco. Flamenco Guitar makes Flamenco to be more passionate and colourful, contributing to its success. Flamenco Guitar by large was still used as an accompaniment instrument in the last few decade, but guitarists have started to show their virtuosity and Flamenco Guitar gradually became a major solo performance in its own right.
Flamenco Guitar we know it today is a relatively young art. Since the beginning of 20th century, there were only 4 generations of guitarists. The most noticeable masters are Ramon Montoya, Nino Ricardo, Sabicas, Paco de Lucia and Paco Pena. These masters create timeless Flamenco guitar solo compositions. From the 80s or so, a new generation of Flamenco guitarists emerged, namely, Vicente Amigo, Tomatito, Rafael Riqueni, Quique Parades, Nino de Pura, Manolo Franco, Gerardo Nunez, Pepe Habichuela, Moraito Chico etc, are getting popular to the Flamenco world. These guitarists created very successful demonstrations of creativity and personalization of Flamenco music. They are highly admirable by others for their talents, contributions and accomplishments.
First Generation
Maestro Patino (1829-1902) – A great master of Flamenco Guitar and creator of Capo and various structures
Ramon Montoya (1880-1949) – A piorneer and master incorporating Classical Guitar technique
Manolo de Huelva (1892-1976) – A comtemporary of Ramon Montoya
Second Generation
Carlos Montoya (1903-1993) – A guitarist brings Flamenco to different places
Nino Ricardo (1904-1972) – A master of creativity and duende
Melchor de Marchena (1907-1980) – An important Flamenco Guitar accompanist master
Diego del Gastor (1908 – 1973) – A master creating a style of Bulerias
Sabicas (1912-1990) – A true Flamenco Guitar Virtuoso
Mario Escudero (1928-2004) – A guitarist showed super techniques
Third Generation
Serrentio (1942) – A master guitarist with superb technique
Paco Pena (1942) – A master of Flamenco Guitar refining traditional Flamenco
Manolo Sanlucar (1943) – A master plays Flamenco guitar in poetry and a great teacher produces superb pupils
Paco de Lucia (1947) – A timeless and the greatest Flamenco Guitar virtuoso with tremendous influence to world of Flamenco
New Generations
Moriato Chico (1955) – A great Flamenco Guitarist sharing his joy in playing Flamenco Guitar
Quique Parades (1955) – A guitarist plays in Gypsies styles
Tomatito (1958) – A great Flamenco Guitarist and accompanist
Manolo Franco (1960) – A master of Flamenco Guitar with superb technique
Gerardo Nunez, (1961) – A master of Flamenco Guitar has it own style with superb technique
Rafael Riqueni (1962) – A great Flamenco Guitarist as well as a creative composer of Flamenco Music
Vicente Amigo (1967) – A remarkable Flamenco guitarist with unique and outstanding style
Links:
http://www.pacodelucia.org – Website of Paco de Lucia
http://www.pacopena.com – Website of Paco Pena
http://www.tomatito.com – Website of Tomatito
http://www.vicente-amigo.com – Website of Vicente Amigo
http://www.juanmartin.com – Website of Juan Martin
