The Fandango a La Luisiana: 2nd Annual Chateau Flamenco Festival

This one-night-only festival features award-winning flamenco artists on a U.S. tour, performing alongside New Orleans-based artists to reproduce the art of flamenco as it originated in the Spanish New Orleans era.

The following musicians, dancers and singers are collaborating in this initiative presented by Peña la Pepa of New Orleans: Dr. Michael White, Mahmoud Chouki, María Bermúdez, Diego Amador, Pelé de los Reyes, Ana de los Reyes, Curro Carrasco and Diego Alvarez “El Negro.” Spanish artists at the 2nd annual Chateau Flamenco Festival:

Diego Amador

Diego Amador is a flamenco jazz multi-instrumentalist, singer and composer, also known as “El Ray Charles Gitano.” He has collaborated with flamenco stars such as Tomatito, Camarón de la Isla, Remedios Amaya, and Diego El Cigala. He has also worked with jazz artists such as Pat Metheny, Pirelli Lagrene, Charlie Haden, and Chick Corea.

Amador was born into a Gypsy family with a flamenco musical tradition in Seville. He commenced his musical journey at an early age with the guitar and vocals, later embarking on a self-taught exploration of the piano. In his adolescence, Raimundo and Rafael, two of his older brothers, founded the flamenco group Pata Negra famous in the 1980s for its fusions of flamenco, rock and blues, where Diego played drums. Later, in 1994, he created a quartet called Patita Negra. But his solo career would follow a different direction, consolidating himself as a pianist and flamenco singer of his own.

Pelé de Los Reyes

A Latin Grammy nominee, Ildefonso de los Reyes, better known as Pelé, is a flamenco-fusion singer, composer, and founder of the group Navajita Plateá. Part of the echelon of nuevo flamenco (new flamenco) innovators, Pelé de Los Reyes and his group were nominated for best artist and best flamenco composer for their album Contratiempos, reaching the Billboard charts with the hit song Frío Sin Tí (Cold without you).

The group received a Triple Platinum Disc for their album Desde mi Azotea (From my Rooftop), and best song of the year for Noches de Bohemia (Bohemian Nights) at the Premios de la Música in Spain. Their fourth album was nominated for the Latin Grammy in 2001. His songs were chosen for the soundtrack for the film Días Contados (Counted Days) by film director Imanol Uribe. He was also featured in Joaquin Cortes’ film Gitano (Gypsy).

Ana de Los Reyes

Born in Jerez de la Frontera, Spain, into a family of artists, Ana de Los Reyes is sister to Pelé de Los Reyes and flamenco singers Chiqui de Jerez and Coral de Los Reyes. After years of work, she joined the company of flamenco dancer Joaquín Cortés, the dance company Arte y Solera on its Japan tour, and María Bermudez’s Sonidos Gitanos on her international tours.

Curro Carrasco

Latin Grammy nominee Francisco Carrasco Soto is a flamenco guitarist and composer. Along with Pelé de Los Reyes, he is a founding member of the flamenco-fusion group Navajita Plateá. Born into a family of flamenco artists, singers and guitarists such as Los Sordera, Los Fernández, María Soleá, and Los Carrascos, he is the brother of the cantaor Juañares and nephew of Diego Carrasco. Aside from touring with his group Navajita Plateá, he has collaborated as a composer and producer with other important flamenco artists such as Diego Carrasco, María Toledo, Sordera, Nani Cortés, La Fabi, and others.