Our Heritage: Living Pura Vida
Flamenco Artists
At El Palacio Andaluz, you can enjoy a one-of-a-kind flamenco show in Seville. Why? The tablao features the largest cast of flamenco artists in Andalusia for a daily show of this kind.
A flamenco troupe made up of male and female dancers, singers, guitarists, clappers, and percussionists of nationally and internationally renowned prestige. A sensational production that brings to life a pure, traditional flamenco show—the kind you don’t often see in Andalusian tablaos. A performance bearing the signature of Emilio Ramírez, “El Duende,” the lead dancer, choreographer, and artistic director of this show brimming with emotion and passion.
Which flamenco artists bring our daily flamenco show to life?
Emilio Ramírez “El Duende”
Flamenco dancer
Emilio Ramírez, known as “El Duende,” is considered one of Spain’s finest flamenco dancers. Despite his youth, this artist has captivated audiences around the world and can boast of having performed on stage at the City Center in New York.
A true flamenco
artist, Emilio Ramírez “El Duende” is considered one of Spain’s finest flamenco dancers. Despite his youth, this artist has captivated audiences around the world and can boast of having performed on stage at the City Center in New York.
He has worked and shared the stage with leading figures in flamenco such as Juana Anaya, Antonio Gades, Eva Yerbabuena, and José Antonio Ruiz, among others. He began his training at Farruco’s school and completed his education under great dance masters such as Manolo Marín, Antonio Canales, and Maestro Granero.
Born in Arahal (Seville), his passion for dance began when he was just five years old, when he started taking classes in his hometown and later in the Sevillian town of Utrera. At age 12, he enrolled in the Alcalá de Guadaira Dance School, famous for being the cradle of several renowned flamenco dancers. At age 14, Emilio Ramírez “El Duende” began showcasing his art on stages around the world, including Paris, Rome, Bangkok, and New York.
He has appeared in *Encuentros* by Alejandro Granado, *La Leyenda* by José Antonio Ruiz, *Bodas de Sangre* by Antonio Gades, and *Cosas de Payasos* by Javier Latorre. He has also been part of the cast at El Sombrero de Tres Picos and the Café de Chinitas, working with Esperanza Fernández and Chano Domínguez.
The artistic director and choreographer of our flamenco tablao has been a member of major companies such as the Compañía Andaluza de Danza and the Centro Andaluz de Danza.
Emilio Ramírez “El Duende” has won two national flamenco awards: first prize at the 2010 National Flamenco Art Competition in Ubrique, and he was a finalist at the 2013 National Flamenco Art Competition in Córdoba.
Since 2007, this flamenco artist has been associated with El Palacio Andaluz, where he has served as artistic director of the daily show at this Andalusian flamenco tablao since 2014.
Juan Luis Vega 'Maera'
Singer
Juan Luis Vega, "Maera," is one of the singers who is part of the lineup of artists at Tablao El Palacio Andaluz. "Maera" could be nothing other than an artist or "flamenco singer," as he describes himself.
Juan Luis Vega, “Maera,” a singer for flamenco
dance, is one of the singers on the roster of artists at Tablao El Palacio Andaluz. The son of Manuel “Maera” and Esperanza, “la del Maera,” a popular Spanish singer, and a member of a family dynasty linked to the worlds of flamenco and bullfighting, “Maera” could be nothing other than an artist or “flamenco singer for dance,” as he describes himself.
He admits to being a lover of flamenco, both by tradition and by calling. Raised in Triana (Seville), he overcame his “shyness” about singing in public while in Italy, and since then, he has never stopped showcasing his art on stages around the world. He has worked with artists such as Rafael Riqueni, Carmen Linares, Israel Galván, Esperanza Fernández, Rafael de Carmen, Curro Fernández, Tía Juan la del Pipa, El Pipa, La Tana, Rafael Utrera, and Pepe de Pura, among others.
She participated in the recording of Dorantes’ album *Orobroy*. She was a finalist for the National Flamenco Art Award in Córdoba alongside Amador Rojas and won first prize at the “Ciudad de Ubrique” National Flamenco Art Competition, alongside Sofía Jiménez de la Rosa and Emilio Ramírez “El Duende,” with whom I’m sharing the stage today at El Palacio Andaluz. At the Lo Ferro Flamenco Singing Festival, he also won the Melón de Oro award, along with other colleagues.
Associated with El Palacio Andaluz since 1994, you can see “Maera” perform live in the flamenco show held every night at our tablao.
José's sole
Flamenco dancer
Soleá de José is one of the flamenco dancers performing in the daily show at El Palacio Andaluz. An elegant artist with a commanding presence on the tablao, she champions the role of the castanets, an instrument she plays during the show. You have to see her on stage. It’s pure art.
Pure art at the Soledad tablao
: José Sarró is one of the flamenco dancers who are part of the cast of artists at El Palacio Andaluz. Her stage name is “Soleá de José,” a name that pays homage to one of the flamenco styles with which she most identifies: the soleá.
Born in Bormujos (Seville), her love affair with flamenco began at age four. Her mother enrolled her in a dance school to learn sevillanas, and her life has been intertwined with this art form ever since. She holds a bachelor’s degree in Spanish Dance from the Seville Conservatory. She is currently pursuing her Advanced Degree at the Ángel Pericet Higher Conservatory of Dance in Málaga, a program she combines with her studies for an Advanced Degree in Early Childhood Education.
Despite her youth, Soleá de José has performed in various shows and graced stages in Madrid, Barcelona, and several Andalusian cities. At just 13 years old, she moved to Germany, where she spent over a year dancing at various tablaos and venues. Since 2017, she has been associated with El Palacio Andaluz, where she performs various flamenco styles, solo with palillos, and pieces of classical Spanish dance.
People say she is an elegant dancer with a commanding presence on the tablao. She certainly seems to be just that, and she also champions the role of castanets in flamenco, describing them as an instrument from which, she says, “you can get a lot out of and use to enrich this art form.”
She admires Belén López, Águeda Saavedra, Pastora Galván, and Matilde Coral, whom she considers leading figures in flamenco dance. A lover and advocate of traditional flamenco, this dancer would love to devote herself to teaching once she leaves the tablaos.
Soleá de José is a must-see on stage—with or without palos. She is pure art.
Antonio Vázquez
Flamenco dancer
Antonio Vázquez is a flamenco dancer at El Palacio Andaluz. He is an “elegant” artist who has developed his own style, thanks to his training and experience. Don’t let anyone tell you how he dances. You have to see him and enjoy his art at our tablao in Seville.
An Elegant
Flamenco Dancer Antonio Vázquez is a flamenco dancer. He has been part of the cast of artists at El Palacio Andaluz since 2018. He got his start in this world by chance. What a blessed coincidence. At age 6, his aunt took him and his brother to a dance school where he learned to play the castanets. He didn’t want to go, but he eventually got hooked on flamenco and hasn’t been able to give it up.
In Morón de la Frontera (Seville), his hometown, his love affair with this art form began. He continued his training at the Professional Dance Conservatory of Seville and the Higher Dance Conservatory of Málaga, in addition to taking various courses with professional flamenco and dance artists.
For 15 years, he traveled the world as a professional dancer. He has performed at various tablaos in Málaga, Madrid, and Seville. He has also participated with several companies on international tours through Germany, France, England, China, and Morocco. He won first prize in the Andalusian Young Flamenco Artists Competition, organized by the Seville Provincial Federation of Flamenco Organizations, and was a semifinalist in the prestigious “Cante de Minas” International Festival in La Unión (Murcia).
He has combined his training as a flamenco dancer with studies in Education and Nursing. But “his life is flamenco.” People say he is an elegant dancer. He maintains that every artist must create their own style and that a good professional must master all the elements of the dance. He works on this every day.
He has shared the stage with one of his role models, Antonio “El Pipa”—a dream come true. He admires Antonio “El Bailarín,” Farruquito, and Manuela Carrasco. He hasn’t given up on the possibility of joining the Spanish National Ballet or the Andalusian Flamenco Ballet. He still has a long way to go.
Antonio Vázquez, an elegant flamenco dancer with a style all his own. Let no one tell him how to dance. You have to see him on the tablao. If you visit Seville, enjoy his artistry at El Palacio Andaluz.
José Ramírez, "Chopi"
Guitarist
José Ramírez, “Chopi,” is one of the flamenco guitarists who are part of the lineup of artists at El Palacio Andaluz. Although his passion was dance, one day he decided to try his hand at the guitar, and that’s when his love affair with the instrument began. He aspires to become a skilled guitarist for dance, and every night he showcases his artistry on our stage.
A guitarist who stirs the emotions
, José Ramírez, “Chopi,” is one of the flamenco guitarists at El Palacio Andaluz. He began his professional career at this tablao in 2017 and has since been part of the cast of artists who bring the daily flamenco show to life here.
The nephew of Emilio Ramírez, “El Duende,” this young man became a guitarist almost by chance. His passion was dance, but his shyness led his uncle to suggest that he start playing the guitar. He began as a self-taught musician and later trained with masters such as Pepe “El Francés,” Juan Manuel Flores, “El Perla,” “El Morito,” Paco Cortés, and Pedro Sierra, among others.
He aspires to become a skilled guitarist for dance, a genre for which he feels a genuine passion. He cannot imagine his life without flamenco, an art form to which he has been connected his entire life, although he was fifteen when he decided to turn this hobby into his professional career.
In addition to performing at El Palacio Andaluz, he has performed several times in Arahal, his hometown, and has participated in competitions with various colleagues. With one of them, he placed second in the Ciudad de Ubrique National Flamenco Art Competition, in the dance category.
He admires artists like “El Morito” and Raúl “El Perla,” guitarists “in whom I see what I don’t find in others.” He doesn’t consider himself a technical guitarist, but rather one who plays from the heart. He loves playing tarantos, but a soleá takes his breath away.
He has shared the stage with the singer Jorge Canastero and the guitarist “El Morito,” but he would love to accompany dancers like Juana Maya or Pastora Galván.
They say he has a lot of power in his strumming, especially with his thumb; however, he doesn’t consider himself a very technical guitarist, but rather an interpreter of emotions. When he performs, he expresses what he’s feeling in that moment. A guitarist with a promising future in the world of flamenco, whom you can enjoy every night at El Palacio Andaluz.
Special Collaborations
Flour
Singer
José Manuel Barrul Jiménez plays Farina, a flamenco singer who is part of the cast that brings to life the show performed every night at El Palacio Andaluz. He is an artist who “sings with his own unique style and flair” and has a long career that has taken him to numerous stages both in Spain and abroad.
A flamenco singer with his own
unique style: José Manuel Barrul Jiménez, known as Farina, is a flamenco singer who is part of the cast that brings to life the show performed every night at El Palacio Andaluz. An artist who “sings with his own distinctive style and flair” and boasts a long professional career that has taken him to numerous stages both nationally and internationally.
His stage name dates back to when he was just a few months old. One night, he burst into tears and kept his entire family awake; his grandfather then said, “This child has a stronger voice than Rafael Farina and will know how to sing.” Since then, everyone has known him as Farina, and his grandfather’s words proved prophetic, for Farina is indeed a flamenco singer.
He was born in Seville, but his life has been split between Seville and Madrid. A member of a long line of artists, including María Vizárraga, Farina has learned from many of the flamenco singers he listens to and has listened to over the years.
By the age of 10, he was already singing while accompanying himself on the guitar. At 19, he began performing with his group in the bars of the Triana neighborhood (Seville). Later, he launched his career as a singer at various flamenco venues in Seville and began touring with dancers from all over the world.
Among others, he admires Manolo Caracol, Camarón, Rafael Farina, La Paquera de Jerez, Burrico de Jerez, and Chocolate, whom he listens to in order to learn. He has collaborated on projects with Torombo and joined Farruquito for a charity event, but he admits he’d love to share the stage with Farruquito and Sara Baras.
He gives it his all every time he takes the stage because Farina truly enjoys what he does. The flamenco styles he most enjoys performing are the seguiriya, the soleá, the taranto, the soleá por bulerías, the romance, and the fandangos naturales, although he is an artist who likes to leave his “own personal touch” on every performance.
Since 2015, he has taken the stage at our flamenco tablao every night to express his feelings through song.
Silvia Reina
Singer
Silvia Reina is a flamenco singer at El Palacio Andaluz. She began singing before she could even speak. She is descended from flamenco singers from the San Miguel neighborhood of Jerez de la Frontera and Triana (Seville). An artist with a clear voice. You don’t have to imagine Silvia Reina—you have to see her sing.
A clear voice and a wide, high
vocal range. Even before she could speak, Silvia Reina was already singing. “This girl has great rhythm,” her father would say when she was a little girl, singing along to Camarón’s bulerías. And she certainly does. She is a flamenco singer. This comes as no surprise when you look at her family tree. She is a descendant of flamenco singers from the San Miguel neighborhood in Jerez de la Frontera and Triana (Seville). A genetic legacy that allows this young Sevillian to perform bulerías with such ease.
Although she earned a degree in Social Work and practiced as a social worker, a decade ago she decided to train and dedicate herself to flamenco professionally. For her, Fernando Rodríguez has been instrumental in her training and artistic career. A winner and finalist in several flamenco singing competitions, Silvia balances her daily work at the Tablao El Palacio Andaluz with her role as a composer. She also teaches singing classes at the school she runs, alongside her partner, in Mairena del Aljarafe.
She admires artists such as Fernanda and Bernarda, La Paquera de Jerez, Marelu de Badajoz, Porrina, Camarón, El Niño de la Huerta, and La Niña de los Peines. She dreams of sharing the stage with Farruquito and has had the opportunity to perform with Gualberto García—who collaborated with Camarón—and to sing “Nana del Caballo Grande,” an experience that was very meaningful to her.
She has sung for the royal family of Bahrain; taught at a prestigious school in Finland, which often hosts leading artists and flamenco professionals; and performed on stages in various countries.
She continues to learn and work every day. Flamenco is everything to her, and she has no words to explain what “I feel when I sing.” An artist with a clear voice and a grand, commanding presence. People describe her as an “elegant and wild” singer.
Deeply in love with flamenco—which she respects above all else—she gives her all when she takes the stage. She “sings and feels.” She connects with her audience. You don’t have to imagine Silvia Reina—you have to see her sing. You can experience her performance at the flamenco show at El Palacio Andaluz.