Catalonian cantaor furthers the legacy of flamenco legend Camaron de la Isla.
His personal inspiration, the timbre of his voice, and his singular personality all give his singing a unique touch. He is without a doubt an artist touched by genius.
Juan Rafael Cortes Santiago, known as Duquende, was born in Sabadell, Catalonia, into a Gypsy family. For a long time he has been considered one the most worthy successors to the late Camaron de la Isla. Indeed, it was the legendary cantaor who ‘initiated’ him by inviting Duquende to sing when he was only nine years old, as Camaron himself accompanied him on guitar. His admiration for the master continues and he is proud to have had extended collaborations with both of Camaron’s two most famous guitarists, recording and touring the world with Paco de Lucia and undertaking a series of projects with Tomatito, but Duquende has developed his own voice and is expanding flamenco traditions, as attested by the success of his version of Leonard Cohen’s song ‘The Gypsy’s Wife’.
In 1997, Paco de Lucia requested him to join the Paco de Lucia Septet. He after sang solo on the most prestigious stages of Europe and America. His personality and his unique voice tone makes him one of the greates cantaores of our time. He worked on different projects like ‘Qawwali Jondo’ with the Pakistani singer Faiz Ali Faiz . To this day, Duquende have his cante jondo vibrating and resonating in the most beautiful venues of the five continents.
