Bulerías Nº Matriz 808 - Music

Ramón Montoya Born November 2 1880 Madrid Spain Died 1949 Flamenco Guitarist And Composer. Born Into A Family Of Gitano Romani Cattle Traders Ramón Montoya Used Earnings From Working In The Trade To Buy His First Guitar. He Began Playing In The Cafés De Cante Before He Was Twenty Years Of Age. He Formed A Partnership With The Flamenco Cantaor Singer Chacón That Lasted For More Than A Decade. These Two Were Largely Responsible For Establishing The Form Of The Various Traditional Flamenco Cantes That Are Recognized Today. In Traditional Flamenco The Guitar Was Relegated To A Supporting Role. Cante Singing And Baile Dance Were The Main Performers Whom The Guitarist Supported. Montoya Was One Of The First To Challenge This Role. His Strong Playing Often Overpowered The Singer Whom He Accompanied. He Eventually Took The Next Logical Step And Began To Play As A Solo Or Lead Performer In A Concert Setting. His Performances Are Widely Credited By Flamenco Historians As Establishing The Flamenco Guitar In This Role. He Was The Single Most Influential Flamenco Guitarist Of The 20th Century. His Innovations Made Possible The Solo Careers Of Such Later Greats As Sabicas Paco De Lucía And Tomatito. Father Of Carlos Montoya. read less