Rafael de Utrera
Encyclopedia
Rafael Usero is a Spanish
flamenco singer
more commonly known of his stage name Rafael de Utrera.
. At the age of ten, Rafael had already performed around Andalucia with his brother. Rafael became more well known in the world of flamenco in the year 1997 when famous Spanish flamenco dancer Cristina Hoyos
invited him to join her cast on her world tour. In 2000, Rafael's abilities as a singer gained more recognition when he was a finalist in the singing competition the XI Bienal de Flamenco de Sevilla
. Briefly after, in 2001, Rafael de Utrera made his final breakthrough when Paco de Lucía
himself asked Rafael to accompany his world tour in Europe, Japan, and America.
Since then, Rafael has been touring frequently around Europe and North America. He has collaborated on albums with artists such as José Mercé
, José Antonio Rodríguez, Niño de Pura, the documentary of the life of Paco de Lucia, Vicente Amigo’s
latest album with Alejandro Sanz
, Enrique Morente
, and La Niña Pastori. The most recent collaboration was with the Netherlands Metropole Orchestra
under the direction of Vince Mendoza
where he recorded a live album called “Proyecto Lorca”.
At the moment, Rafael is performing with the guitarist
Vicente Amigo and his cast including his wife, flamenco dancer Carmen Lozano. He's also started to record his first album which will be released 2012.
Spain
Spain , officially the Kingdom of Spain languages]] under the European Charter for Regional or Minority Languages. In each of these, Spain's official name is as follows:;;;;;;), is a country and member state of the European Union located in southwestern Europe on the Iberian Peninsula...
flamenco singer
Cante flamenco
The cante flamenco is one of the three main components of flamenco, along with toque and baile...
more commonly known of his stage name Rafael de Utrera.
Biography
Rafael de Utrera began singing flamenco at a young age with the influence of his father, who owned a flamenco club in their hometown of UtreraUtrera
Utrera is a municipality in south-west Spain. It is in the province of Seville, in the autonomous community of Andalusia. As of 2008 it has a population close to 50,202....
. At the age of ten, Rafael had already performed around Andalucia with his brother. Rafael became more well known in the world of flamenco in the year 1997 when famous Spanish flamenco dancer Cristina Hoyos
Cristina Hoyos
Cristina Hoyos Panadero is a Spanish flamenco dancer, choreographer and actress, born in Seville. After several successes throughout the world with several companies and movies, she created her own dancing company and premiered with it in Rex Theatre of Paris in 1988...
invited him to join her cast on her world tour. In 2000, Rafael's abilities as a singer gained more recognition when he was a finalist in the singing competition the XI Bienal de Flamenco de Sevilla
Festival Bienal Flamenco
The Festival Bienal Flamenco is celebrated in Seville, Spain, in different theatres of the city. This festival features dancers, vocalists and guitarists direct from Spain in a mesmerizing display ranging from flamenco puro to innovative new works....
. Briefly after, in 2001, Rafael de Utrera made his final breakthrough when Paco de Lucía
Paco de Lucía
Paco de Lucía, born Francisco Sánchez Gómez , is a Spanish virtuoso flamenco guitarist and composer. He is considered by many to be one of the finest guitarists in the world and the greatest guitarist of the flamenco genre...
himself asked Rafael to accompany his world tour in Europe, Japan, and America.
Since then, Rafael has been touring frequently around Europe and North America. He has collaborated on albums with artists such as José Mercé
José Mercé
José Mercé is a flamenco cantaor .He is the great-grandson of nineteenth-century seguiriya maestro Francisco Valencia, who received the nickname Paco la Luz....
, José Antonio Rodríguez, Niño de Pura, the documentary of the life of Paco de Lucia, Vicente Amigo’s
Vicente Amigo
Vicente Amigo Girol is a Spanish flamenco composer and virtuoso guitarist, born in Guadalcanal, near Seville. He has played as backing guitarist on recordings by flamenco singers El Pele, Camarón de la Isla, Vicente Soto, Luis de Córdoba and the rociero band Salmarina, and he has acted as a...
latest album with Alejandro Sanz
Alejandro Sanz
Alejandro Sanz , is a Spanish singer-songwriter and musician. For his work, Sanz has won a total of fifteen Latin Grammy Awards and three Grammy Awards. He has won the Latin Grammy for Album of the Year three times, more than any other artist...
, Enrique Morente
Enrique Morente
Enrique Morente Cotelo, known as Enrique Morente, was a flamenco singer and a controversial figure within the world of contemporary flamenco...
, and La Niña Pastori. The most recent collaboration was with the Netherlands Metropole Orchestra
Metropole Orchestra
The Metropole Orchestra is a jazz and pop orchestra based in the Netherlands, and is the largest full time ensemble of its kind in the world. A hybrid orchestra, it is a combination of jazz big band and symphony orchestra...
under the direction of Vince Mendoza
Vince Mendoza
Vince Mendoza is a music arranger and composer.Mendoza was born in Connecticut and studied guitar as a child, influenced by classical music, soul and jazz. He then took up the trumpet, which he continued to play throughout his time at Ohio State University, where he played in the Jazz Ensemble and...
where he recorded a live album called “Proyecto Lorca”.
At the moment, Rafael is performing with the guitarist
Guitarist
A guitarist is a musician who plays the guitar. Guitarists may play a variety of instruments such as classical guitars, acoustic guitars, electric guitars, and bass guitars. Some guitarists accompany themselves on the guitar while singing.- Versatility :The guitarist controls an extremely...
Vicente Amigo and his cast including his wife, flamenco dancer Carmen Lozano. He's also started to record his first album which will be released 2012.
Collaborated acts
| Year | Title | Artist | Label |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2002 | Pozo y Caudal | Niño de Pura | Senador |
| 2007 | Córdoba... En el tiempo. | José Antonio Rodríguez | Universal |
| 2008 | A Contratiempo | Paco Escobar | Autoproducción |
| 2009 | Paseo De Gracia | Vicente Amigo | Sony BMG |
| 2009 | EL VIENTO - THE GARCÍA LORCA PROJECT | Vince Mendoza & The Metropole Orchestra | ACT Music |
DVD
| Year | Title | Artist |
|---|---|---|
| 2008 | Córdoba en el tiempo. en vivo. | José Antonio Rodríguez |