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Diego El Cigala started his career singing on the streets and at flamenco clubs. As a twelve-year-old he won a competition for young singers in Madrid. He also sang for famous dancers such as: Cristóbal Reyes, Mario Maya, Manolete, Farrruco, Manuel Camacho, El Güito. He began his solo career in the ’90s. He published several albums: “Undebel,” “Entre vareta y canasta,” and – working with jazz musicians – “Corren tiempos de alegría,” he has also released “Piratas del flamenco” in a duo with Jerry González. The material from the last album was performed by the artists together with Niño Josele at the stage of the Royal Theatre in Madrid. The recording taken from the concert went down in history as the flamenco manifesto of those singers from Madrid.

In 2003 he recorded his now famous album „Lágrimas negras” (Sony BMG), where he played with a 85 years-old Cuban pianist Bebo Valdés. The combination of the Cuban rhythms and flamenco vocals brought both artists world success and numerous awards (The Ondas Award, Micrófono de Oro, Amigo Awards, nominations to the Latin Grammy). The album occupied the top of the charts for two following years, and the New York Times and BBC Radio praised it through and through. 2005 brought the release of the album “Picasso en Mis Ojo,” which was a musical tribute to the famous Spanish painter. It was nominated to the Grammy Award for the best flamenco album, and the clip to “Blanco y Negro” (directed by Fernando Trueba) won in its category. Somewhere between the travels, concerts, cooperation with other artists, Diego El Cigala found enough time to work on yet another album – “Dos Lagrimas,” which included his interpretations of the traditional Spanish and Andalusian songs (the copla, bolero and tango genres).

There are two albums of this artist available on the Polish market: the previously mentioned “Dos Lagrimas” (Deutsche Grammophon, 2009) and „Cigala & Tango” (Deutsche Grammophon, 2011). In Spain alone the album has already sold in above a 100 thousand copies. It was recorded in Buenos Aires, in the legendary Teatro Gran Rex, together with Argentinean musicians.

www.elcigala.com