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Sabicas
Sabicas
Sabicas
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Sabicas
PacoPena-Sabicas.png
Paco Peña and Sabicas
Background information
Born 16 March 1912
Origin Pamplona, Spain
Died 14 April 1990
Genres Flamenco music
Occupation(s)
Composer
Guitarist
Instruments Guitar
Labels
Elektra Records
MGM Records
Associated acts Carmen Amaya
Sabicas (proper name: Agustín Castellón Campos) (16 March 1912 – 14 April 1990) was
a Spanish flamenco guitarist of Romani origin.[1]
Contents
1 Biography
2 Discography
3 References
4 External links
Biography
Sabicas was born in Pamplona, Spain, and began playing guitar at the age of five
and made his performing debut two years later. His early style was influenced by
Ramón Montoya, to whom he was related on his mother's side of the family.[2]
Extensive collaboration with important cantaores (male flamenco singers) of the
period helped him develop his personal style.
Leaving Spain in 1936 during the Spanish Civil War, he went into exile in South
America with bailaora (dancer) Carmen Amaya. He lived in Mexico City, married
Esperanza González Erazo and had four children: Maricruz 1944, Carlos 1946,
Agustine 1952 and Margaret 1956. Agustine and Margaret live in New York City,
Maricruz lives in Alaska, and Carlos is deceased. Amaya and Sabicas toured together
several times. Sabicas later settled in New York City in the United States where he
formed a life-long friendship and business association with classical guitarist
Rolando Valdés-Blain. He did not return to his native Spain until 1967.
Sabicas was one of flamenco's greatest guitarists, not only as a technician, but
also as a composer. He played flamenco at a previously unimaginable level and
created new techniques, opening up new possibilities for the solo instrument. He
brought his art to concert halls and major theaters, making it available to all
classes. Modern players such as Paco de Lucía, Tomatito, Serranito, René Heredia,
Juan Manuel Cañizares, El Viejín, Vicente Amigo, Gerardo Nuñez, Javier Conde and
many more acknowledge the great influence of Sabicas's music.
Discography
The following is a partial list of LPs recorded by Sabicas. Some, but not all, have
been reissued on CD and/or MP3, many under different titles. Some dates are
tentative, since many LPs (Decca in particular) did not carry a date (or carried
the date of reissue). The many anthologies are not listed.