Tomatito 'En concierto', SUMA FLAMENCA

Text: Pablo San Nicasio
Photos: Rafa Manjavacas

Tomatito: Guitar. Cristóbal Santiago: 2nd guitar. Lucky Losada: Percussion. Simón Román and Morenito de Illora: Cante. Alfonso Losa: dance.

RESCUED

When the first checkered edition of the festival Suma Flamenca was presented some years ago, at least one media professional anxious to illuminate the masses, or for other reasons unknown, said that finally Madrid had a flamenco festival made by and for the whole Madrid Community.  For all its towns, people and assorted tastes.  Those were other times, for the country in general as well. 

And if it’s the Madrid government, no one else, who underwrites the party and supports the effort, it’s also true that Spain’s capital already had some noteworthy programs.  But they were aiming for something more.  We were going to once again be the capital of flamenco.  The epicenter of innovation, authority and a fight to the death to control this art-form.

Perhaps current events threw things out of whack, but the capital of flamenco seems to just be hobbling along, a few flashes in the pan to weather the storm.  It’s no longer about money.  It’s a question of ideas, freshness, a new lease on life and love of flamenco.

One high point…Tomatito’s return to Madrid.  And he did it with his regular group and repertoire, and it’s now been several editions of various festivals around here where’s he’s been doing the same thing.  José Fernández Torres himself is announcing recitals with Omar Faruk for this summer, and almost certainly a recording for this autumn/winter.  So it’s hard to understand the rush to program him yet again in Madrid.

Tomatito	Tomatito

If it was to guarantee the box-office take, there was no crowd scene last night, and if it was to defend the guitar by hook or by crook, someone’s not paying attention to the latest guitarists.

But it’s not Tomatito’s fault.  For heaven’s sake.  Just for the record, he’s still in form and continues to be a reference.  Like his backup group.

Tomatito once again came in for a landing to the sound of taranta, and went on to play “La Ardila”, legendary alegrías already fifteen years old.  He also went over that group of pieces he brought out along with Michel Camilo.

“Two Much Love Theme”, “La Vacilona”, “Para Troilo y Salgán”.  Incredible in the two bulerías, his forté, and in general, he was more technically precise and dynamic than at other times.  Some very good guitar moments we saw last night.

Alfonso Losa	Tomatito

José Fernández is a musician who twenty years ago undertook the long bumpy road to becoming a concert guitarist, which is more than being a flamenco guitarist.  The passing of the genius singer Camarón put him to the test with the same misgivings the rest of us had, as he himself admits.  There will be a second chapter in his adventure, hopefully this year.

And with him, his heavy artillery.  Gypsies with powerful abilities, joined by a non-gypsy with gypsy ways.  We saw Alfonso Losa in the role of flamenco Olympic athlete.  Which isn’t bad considering what year this is, but dance has to have something more to offer.

A fiesta finale in the grand tradition, while audience euphoria broke loose and some of us were overcome with a thirst for something fresh.  Sometimes you just need to be saved from monotony.  “Rescued”, a fashionable word these days.  Also for flamenco fans.

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