Antonio Rey – Award Winning Flamenco Guitarist

Antonio Rey, one of today’s most important and popular multi-award-winning Spanish flamenco guitarists and composers – a true master of the instrument – will be making his Santa Barbara debut, promising an incredibly exciting and moving performance on Sunday, September 11 at the New Vic Theatre in Santa Barbara at 7:00 p.m.

Rey’s 2020 “Flamenco sin Fronteras” album was awarded the Latin Grammy for Best Flamenco Album.
He has composed for and played alongside artists such as Antonio Canales, the Japanese dancer Yoko Komatsubara, Rafael Amargo, Richard Bona, and Farruquito. He has also worked and toured with the Maestro Paco de Lucía.

Rey is a winner of several national and international flamenco guitar competitions and after such an impressive career accompanying some of the most important figures in flamenco – both singers and dancers – it’s time for Antonio’s guitar to take center stage. Performing with Rey in Santa Barbara is guitarist Jose Tanaka, Diego Alvarez on percussion, along with dancer Maria Bermudez.

Antonio Rey was born in Madrid and began his artistic career at the age of ten when he accompanied his father Tony Rey in various tablaos (flamenco venues) in Mexico. A few years later, he made his first tour of Japan with the dancer Yoko Komatsubara. At 18 years of age, he worked in the company of Antonio Canales and later composed the music for Gallo de pelea for the Nuevo Ballet Español (New Spanish Ballet). Rey composed other compositions, such as “Romeo and Juliet“, for the Antonio Canales which was founded in 1996 by Angel Rojas and Carlos Rodriguez. He went on to perform in the capacity of accompanist for singers and dancers Manuela Carrasco, Rafael Amargo, Farruquito and singers Rafael de Utrera and La Tana, among others.

Rey was first discovered in 2007 when Gerardo Núñez decided to produce the young player’s first album “A través de ti“. Rey’s 2011 “Colores de Fuego” album showcased an evolving unique, inspired, and surprising guitar style, followed by his 2013 “Camino al Alma“, his third recording, which proved to be a huge step in his musical maturity. “Dos Partes de Mi” in 2017 deliberates over his flamenco origins and the contrast with his now ever-growing fame.

In addition, Rey has won the National Flamenco Guitar Award at the XIX Concurso Nacional de Arte de Flamenco de Córdoba in 2010 joining the ranks of such luminaries as Paco de Lucía, Vicente Amigo and Paco Peña; The Concurso Nacional de Guitarra Flamenca “Niño Ricardo” International Guitar Competition; and the Concurso Internacional de Guitarra Flamenca Los Cernícalos de Jerez de la Frontera.

The Los Angeles International Flamenco Festival is proud to bring unique programming and world-class flamenco artists to the Los Angeles region, having presented many of the world’s most acclaimed and influential flamenco artists including Tomatito, Vicente Amigo, Carmen Linares, Los Farrucos, Diego El Cigala, Marina Heredia, Pastora Galvan, Juana la del Pipa, Arcangel, La Tania, Tia Yoya, Luis Moneo, Diego del Morao, La Curra, Kina Mendez, Maria Bermudez, Theatre Flamenco, Nino de los Reyes, Adam del Monte, Omayra Amaya, Gema Moneo, Jose del Tomate & many more.