Diego El Cigala, the flamenco titan, has been captivating audiences around the world with his raw and passionate vocal style. Born as Ramón Jiménez Salazar on December 27, 1968, in Madrid, Spain, he descends from a long line of flamenco artists, which deeply ingrained the genre’s rich traditions in his soul. It was his uncle, Rafael Farina, a well-known flamenco singer, who inspired him and bestowed upon him the nickname "El Cigala," meaning "the prawn," a nod to his small stature and powerful voice.

His career took a pivotal turn when he collaborated with the legendary Cuban pianist Bebo Valdés on the 2003 album "Lágrimas Negras," a moving blend of flamenco and Cuban rhythms that achieved global acclaim and won a Latin Grammy. Since then, Diego El Cigala has continued to explore and blend a variety of musical styles, including tango, salsa, and Latin jazz, with his flamenco roots. His exploration of different Latin genres is evident in his more recent releases, such as "Cigala Canta a México," a heartfelt homage to the ranchera tradition. The versatility of his talent shines through in projects like "Indestructible," where he infuses traditional salsa with his unmistakable flamenco flair, and his collaboration with virtuoso pianist Gonzalo Rubalcaba in "Conversación en Tiempo de Bolero" reveals an intimate dialogue between flamenco and the romanticism of bolero. El Cigala's ability to bridge disparate musical worlds has solidified his status as a pioneering and innovative force in contemporary music.

Genres

Flamenco

Rumba

Related Artists

Tomatito

Paco de Lucía

Rubén Blades

Niña Pastori

Enrique Morente

Camaron De La Isla

Buika

Vicente Amigo

Bebo Valdés

Estrella Morente

Luis Miguel

ROSALÍA

Latest Release

Obras Maestras

Diego El Cigala

Album - 10 Tracks - Released September 1, 2023