This cantaor is one of the most acclaimed heirs of Camarón de la Isla (1950-1992), the great innovator of flamenco. Diego Ramón Jiménez Salazar, known as Diego El Cigala, was born in the popular Rastro area of Madrid in 1968 and at age 12 already won the first prize in the Contest of Young Flamenco in Getafe (Madrid).
In 1997 he published his first solo album, Undebel, and three years later Javier Limón produced for him Entre vareta y canasta, involving flamenco guitarists Niño Josele and Vicente Amigo. He counted on the collaboration of the Spanish filmmaker Fernando Trueba, author of the video clip. In 2001 came Corren Tiempos, also produced by Javier Limón, accompanied by Niño Josele and two special guests: Bebo Valdes and Jerry Gonzalez. The album was nominated for Best Flamenco Album at the Latin Grammys.
With Lágrimas Negras, produced by Fernando Trueba and with Bebo Valdés at the piano, El Cigala got international recognition. In 2004 he won a Grammy, three Music Awards, a Onda Award-five Amigo Awards, and three platinum records in Spain and one in Argentina, Mexico and Venezuela.
Now he presents his latest work, the ninth in his discography, accompanied by electric guitarist Diego Garcia Valencia, The Twanguero. It is titled Romance de la luna tucumana is a view on Latin American music, with Andean songs, milongas of Martín Fierro and Argentine chacareras.
Diego El Cigala opens the Estiva Arts By The Sea, a multicultural festival held for the first time this year in Port Adriano, a marina designed by Philippe Starck. After the concerts, which take place in a tent designed for the occasion, attendees can enjoy a summer garden behind the main stage, as a backstage, and cheer with the artists.
