Paco Peña facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Paco Peña
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Peña in the Alcázar de los Reyes Cristianos, Córdoba
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| Background information | |
| Birth name | Francisco Peña Pérez |
| Born | 1 June 1942 Córdoba, Spain |
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| Occupation(s) | |
| Instruments | Guitar |
| Years active | 1967–present |
| Labels | Nimbus Records |
| Associated acts |
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Francisco Peña Pérez (born on June 1, 1942), known as Paco Peña, is a famous Spanish flamenco musician. He is a talented composer and guitarist. Many people consider him one of the best traditional flamenco players in the world.
Contents
About Paco Peña
Early Life and Career
Paco Peña was born in Córdoba, Spain. He started learning guitar from his brother when he was six years old. By the age of 12, he made his first professional appearance. His family encouraged him to perform.
He began performing across Spain. This was part of a government-supported folk music and dance program. Soon, professional flamenco groups in Madrid and the Costa Brava wanted him. Peña became a respected accompanist for flamenco dance and singing.
However, he wanted a new challenge. In the late 1960s, he moved to London. There, he started his career as a solo guitarist.
Becoming a Solo Star
Paco Peña first became famous at the Restaurante Antonio in Covent Garden, London. He created a lot of interest in flamenco music in Britain. People had not known much about it before.
He soon performed concerts with famous artists like Jimi Hendrix. In 1967, he had his first solo show at Wigmore Hall. It was not long before Peña was touring the world. He performed as a soloist and with other artists.
He played at famous venues like Carnegie Hall in New York City. He also performed at the Royal Albert Hall in London. Another famous place he played was the Concertgebouw in Amsterdam.
Teaching and Festivals
Paco Peña later started the world's first university course on flamenco guitar. This course was at the Rotterdam conservatory of music. In 1984, Julian Bream interviewed Peña. This was for the Channel 4 TV series Guitarra!. The show explored how the guitar developed in Spain.
Peña also created the Centro Flamenco Paco Peña in Córdoba. He helped start the yearly Córdoba Guitar Festival. This festival is now very famous. Other great flamenco players like Manolo Sanlúcar and Paco de Lucía have performed there.
In 1997, King Juan Carlos of Spain honored Peña. He was named Oficial de la Cruz de la Orden del Mérito Civil. This is a special award for his achievements.
Famous Music and Collaborations
Some of Paco Peña's most famous pieces include Misa Flamenca. This is a flamenco Mass. Another well-known work is Requiem for the Earth. Both of these have received great praise.
He has also worked with other musicians. He collaborated with Argentinian guitarist Eduardo Falú. He also worked with the Chilean group Inti-Illimani.
Peña has homes in London and Córdoba. His recent shows include Flamenco Sin Fronteras. This show looks at how Venezuelan music and flamenco are connected. Another show is Quimeras. In this show, the Paco Peña Flamenco Dance Company tells a story. It is about immigrants from Africa arriving in Andalusia.
Peña has also worked with the classical guitarist John Williams. He also wrote a chapter on flamenco guitar. This was for the book The Guitar (A Guide For Students And Teachers).
Music Albums
Paco Peña has released many albums throughout his career. Here are some of them:
CD Albums
- 1987: Fragments of a Dream (Inti-Illimani with John Williams)
- 1987: Flamenco Guitar Music of Ramón Montoya and Niño Ricardo
- 1988: Azahara
- 1990: Leyenda (live in Cologne Inti-Illimani with John Williams)
- 1991: Misa Flamenca
- 1992: Encuentro (with Eduardo Falú)
- 1995: The Art of Paco Peña (anthology)
- 1999: Arte y Pasión (live, with Company)
- 2000: Flamenco Guitar (Montoya/Ricardo & Azahara)
- 2003: Flamenco Master: Essential flamenco recordings (anthology)
- 2004: Fabulous Flamenco / La Gitarra Flamenca (remastered)
- 2007: His Essential Recordings (anthology)
- 2007: A Flamenco Guitar Recital (live)
- 2007: Requiem for the Earth
- 2008: A Compás! (Live, with Company)
- 2014: Duo Recital (with Eliot Fisk)
- 2015: En estado de gracia
- 2018: Con la Verdad por Delante
LP Albums
- 1966: Flamenco! (El Sali & his Ballet Espagnol)
- 1968: The Incredible Paco Peña
- 1969: Carnival (with Los Marachuchos)
- 1970: Flamenco
- 1970: The Art of Flamenco (with Company)
- 1972: Flamenco Puro Live (with Company)
- 1973: The Art of the Flamenco Guitar
- 1975: Fabulous Flamenco!
- 1976: Toques Flamencos (Student pieces, with book)
- 1977: La Gitarra Flamenca [sic]
- 1978: The Flamenco World of Paco Peña
- 1979: Live in London
- 1980: Live at Sadler's Wells (with Company)
- 1985: Flamenco Vivo (live)
DVD Releases
- 1985: Guitarra! (Julian Bream) [guest appearance]
- 1991: Misa Flamenca
See also
In Spanish: Paco Peña (músico) para niños
