THE CRUZCAMPO FOUNDATION DISTINGUISHES 'JOSÉ DE LA TOMASA' WITH THE 'COMPÁS DEL CANTE' AWARD FOR 2011

The panel of judges, gathered at the central offices of the Fundación Cruzcampo to announce the winner, presided over by José Luque and made up of Gonzalo Rojo, Antonio Parrilla, Nicolás Muela, Juan Peña “El Lebrijano” and Emilio Jiménez Díaz as secretary, voted unanimously to concede the prize to the singer for having preserved the tradition of his lineage, for his professionalism and for the defense of various areas of the history of flamenco.

In addition, the judges decided to give special mention to the Peña Flamenca “Juan Breva” of Málaga in recognition of its long history and its support of flamenco values and and conservation of the patrimony in its Museum of Flamenco Art.

The distinction Compás del Cante, which this year celebrates its 25th anniversary, was established in 1984 to highlight the professionalism of flamenco singers, although it was later expanded to include dance and guitar-playing.  Over the years artists such as Paco de Lucía, Manolo Sanlúcar, Enrique Morente, Fosforito, Chano Lobato, Matilde Coral, La Paquera de Jerez, Fernanda de Utrera, Cristina Hoyos, Chocolate, Merche Esmeralda, Eva Yerbabuena and José Cortés “Pansequito”, last year’s winner, have received this prize.

With this award, the Fundación Cruzcampo wishes to highlight the importance of the art of flamenco “as an exceptional form of emotional expression and the Andalusian and Spanish cultures”.

As in previous editions, the winner will receive a commemorative sculpture titled “Compás del Cante”, work of the sculptor Jesús Gavira.  The award presentation will take place next July 1st during a dinner to be held at the Castillo de Gibralfaro in Málaga.

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