Flamenco Hoy critics’ choice awards for 2003 presented

Group portrait of the winners of FLAMENCO HOY 2003

At the last Festival Mundial del Flamenco celebrated in Marbella, a meeting
of critics was held to vote on finalists for the various categories. This
year the prizes were supported by Turismo Andaluz which supplied the trophies
designed by Serafín Venegas awarded to the winners.

Three categories were added for this fourth edition of the prizes: a
special prize for the «Promotion of Flamenco» was awarded
Turismo Andaluz for their dynamic support of flamenco, and another for
the late Frank Tenot, French jazz critic whose work on behalf of flamenco
was praised by awards director Alfonso Eduardo Pérez.

The new category of best DVD went to the documentary «Francisco
Sánchez-Paco de Lucía» from Universal Music. The prize
was collected by Juan Estrada on behalf of the maestro who is now in the
United States awaiting approval for entry into the country of his bass-player
Alain Pérez who was also present at the ceremony.

The prize for Best Media Coverage went to the young but influential website
Flamenco News who managed to beat Deflamenco.com by just two votes according
to the awards director, confirming that Internet is the most important
source of information used by flamenco fans and critics.

In the category of Best Book, the team Gamboa-Núñez won
for their work «Camarón – Vida y obra», published
by the SGAE. Best Male Dancer went decidedly to Farruquito who is at the
peak of his career, and his appearance on stage brought the warmest ovation
of the night. Best Female Dancer was for Belén Maya who was unable
to attend since she was performing in Barcelona. Ana Salazar won for Best
New Singer for her record «Ana Salazar canta a Edith Piaf»
(Karonte) although she was also unable to collect her prize in person
although it was awarded on a television program broadcast from Barcelona
where she was being interviewed at that moment.

Best Show went to young María Angeles Gabaldón for «Inmigración»,
certainly the biggest surprise of the night since the show was competing
with Farruquito’s much-acclaimed «Alma Vieja» and Sara
Baras’ «Mariana Pineda». «Inmigración»
premiered in November at Seville’s Teatro Central and will again
be presented in 2004 in Sevilla as well as at the Festival de Jerez. A
tour of Germany is currently being negotiated.

Best New Backup Guitarist was for Niño Josele who was finalist
in two other categories for his work with maestro Enrique Morente on «El
Pequeño Reloj». This recording was awarded the prize for
Best Cante Recording, and Morente sent his daughter Estrella to accept
the statuette in his name.

Best Record of Percussion was once again awarded to Tino di Geraldo for
his record «Tino» (Emi) and Diego Amador carried off the prize
for Best Instrumental Record for «Piano Jondo» (NM). Jerez
guitarist Juan Diego won for Best New Soloist with his record «Luminaria»
(Bujío) in heated competition with Niño Josele and the young
Javier Conde.

Lastly, the critics awarded two veteran guitar maestros. Serranito won
for Best Solo Record with «Sueños de Ida y Vuelta»
(Autor) which was a nominee at the last Latin Grammys. At that point Alfonso
Eduardo was about to wrap up the night when there was still one more prize,
for guitarist Paco Cepero who was called up to accept his prize for Best
Guitar Accompanist for «Morrongo» (NM) with singer Santiago
Donday.

In all, 34 critics participated, and readers may or may not be in agreement
with some of the choices. Deflamenco is carrying out a major survey to
determine public opinion about the best of 2003.