Niño Ricardo facts for kids

Quick facts for kids Niño Ricardo
Statue of Niño Ricardo. Cristo de Burgos Square. Seville.
Background information
Birth name	Manuel Serrapí Sánchez
Born	11 July 1904 Seville, Spain
Died	14 April 1972 (aged 67)
Genres	Flamenco
Occupation(s)	Flamenco guitarist
Instruments	flamenco guitar

Manuel Serrapí Sánchez (born July 11, 1904 – died April 14, 1972) was a famous Flamenco guitar player and composer from Spain. He was known by his stage name, Niño Ricardo. Many people thought he was the best flamenco guitarist of his time. He played a huge part in how the flamenco guitar style grew and changed. He lived in the heart of Seville. When he was a child, he was so good at playing the guitar that people called him "Niño de Ricardo," which means "Ricardo's boy." This is how he got his stage name.

Early Life

Manuel was born on July 11, 1904, in a typical neighborhood in Seville, Spain. Today, you can see a hotel there with a special plaque honoring him.

His father, Ricardo Serrapí Torres, was also a guitarist. Along with a family friend named Antonio Moreno, they taught young Manuel about the world of flamenco when he was 13. At first, like his father, he didn't plan to play guitar for a living.

However, a guitarist named Javier Molina gave Niño Ricardo his first chance to perform. Manuel was only 14 years old. He joined a flamenco show where he met many singers. He would go on to play with them in Spain and other countries for the rest of his life. His professional career really took off in 1924. He started recording his own music when he was 20.

His Unique Guitar Style

Niño Ricardo had a special way of growing his fingernails. They curved upwards, which affected how he played and the sound he made. After a throat operation in 1945, his voice became deep and a bit rough. You can hear him humming along to his music in some of his recordings.

He was very creative with his guitar playing. He made up his own falsetas, which are short, improvised musical phrases. His left hand created bright and interesting chord arrangements. His right hand was unique because he constantly moved his fingers across the strings, creating a strong, rhythmic beat. Many singers said they performed their best when Niño Ricardo played with them. He loved to play and sing along with his guitar, which encouraged others to join in.

He was one of the smartest flamenco players ever. He believed that the guitar was his "religion." He said that the guitar and the singing should have a "dialogue." This meant that neither the singing nor the guitar should overpower the other. Many believe that flamenco guitar would not be the same without him. He created a completely new style that changed guitar playing. This style was so unique that it was called 'Ricardismo,' meaning "very much Ricardo." He brought a new challenge to flamenco guitar playing.

Who Influenced Him

Niño Ricardo was inspired by other flamenco players. These included Pepe Pinto, Manuel Torre, El Niño Gloria, Escacena, and Antonio Mairena. He spent his early years playing in bars and taverns in Seville. This is where he developed his own special style and created many of his songs. He was also inspired by three great flamenco guitarists: Ramón Montoya, Manolo de Huelva, and Javier Molina. Javier Molina helped him at the start of his professional career. Ricardo recorded music with many famous singers, such as Pastora, El Carbonerillo, Mazaco, Antonio and Manuel Mairena, Fernanda y Bernarda, Caracol, and Talega.

Later Life and Passing

Niño Ricardo married Lola Siguenza when he was in his early twenties. They had two children together.

In 1945, he had throat surgery. This made his voice deeper, but it did not stop him from playing music. You can easily recognize his voice in recordings where he hums while playing.

Niño Ricardo passed away in 1972 at the age of 67, due to a serious liver illness. There is a monument at his grave in the San Fernando Cemetery in Seville. It shows an angel lifting a guitar towards the sky. This monument was created by sculptor Sandino. Money for it came from a tribute album released in 1972. On this album, famous artists like Paco de Lucía and Sabicas, and Ricardo's own son, played his songs. In 2004, people celebrated 100 years since Niño Ricardo's birth in southern Spain. In 2005, a monument and a plaque were placed in the Plaza del Cristo de Burgos, near where he was born.

His Lasting Impact

After the Spanish Civil War and World War II, flamenco guitar music was greatly shaped by players like Niño Ricardo and Sabicas. Many modern flamenco guitarists were influenced by Ricardo. These include Paco de Lucia, Paco Peña, and Juan Martín.

He taught many guitarists of his time, such as Paco de Lucía, Enrique de Melchor, and Serranito. Paco de Lucia often said that Niño Ricardo "was the greatest master of the guitar of our generation. He was like the Godfather of flamenco guitar. We learned so much from him and tried to play like him."

He recorded with some of the most famous singers of his time. These included Porrina de Badajoz, La Niña de los Peines, Pastora, Tomás, Pepe Pinto, Gloria, Vallejo, El Carbonerillo, Mazaco, Antonio Chacón, Manuel Mairena, Fernanda y Bernarda, Caracol, and Talega. He especially liked playing with Manuel Torre. He toured with these singers in the 1940s. In 1949, he also performed in Mexico with Sabicas.

Niño Ricardo also wrote songs for many singers. For example, he composed "El emigrante" ("The Emigrant") and "El rey de la carretera" ("King of the Road") for Juanito Valderrama. These became some of Valderrama's biggest hits.

Films and Recordings

Niño Ricardo appeared in several films and made many recordings.

Partial Filmography

• Niño Ricardo appears in many episodes of NODE.
• Café de Chinitas, where he also speaks.
• El Rey de la Carretera. (The King of the Road.) (1956)
• Puente de Coplas.

Partial Discography

Many of his older recordings have been lost. However, some CDs are still available. You can find his music in the "Masters of flamenco guitar" collection. Many recordings from his early career, which show how his musical style grew, are now missing. Some copies are kept by fans and collectors. Below are some of his available recordings, either solo or with singers.

Solo guitar

Composer and accompanist

See also

In Spanish: Niño Ricardo para niños