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Born into a family of flamenco legends, José del Tomate brings a fresh and personal touch to the traditional art of flamenco guitar. His performances are a journey through the heart of flamenco, blending the rich heritage of his ancestors with a contemporary sensibility that makes each show unique.
José, accompanied by a talented ensemble including a cantaor (singer), a bailaor (dancer), and a percussionist, creates a captivating and emotionally charged atmosphere on stage. With virtuosic guitar playing, passionate vocals, rhythmic dance, and the powerful beats of flamenco percussion, the audience is immersed in the purest expression of this vibrant art form. This performance is a celebration of both tradition and innovation, led by one of the rising stars of the flamenco world.
José Fernández “José del Tomate” was born in Almería into a family of artists. His father, Tomatito, and his great-grandfather, Miguel Fernández Cortés “El Tomate”—a nickname also inherited by his grandfather before him—have been an artistic inspiration for him. He acknowledges Sabicas and Paco de Lucía as influences, but above all, the person who has influenced him the most is his uncle “El Niño Miguel.”
“From a very young age, I lived in a flamenco environment at home, and guitars were always around me,” says José, who at just 13 years old decided to follow in his family’s footsteps. Since the age of 19, he has performed on prestigious stages such as the International Festival of Cante de las Minas, Suma Flamenca in Madrid, and the Festival Internacional de Música y Danza in Granada. He has accompanied his father on international tours, performing in cities such as New York, Miami, Puerto Rico, Boston, and Washington.
His virtuosity not only reflects the mastery inherited from his lineage but also reveals a unique and personal expressiveness. On stage, José del Tomate conveys a deep connection with the music, creating soundscapes that explore the roots of flamenco while simultaneously introducing contemporary nuances. With an innate artistic sensitivity, José has forged his own path in the world of flamenco, contributing to the genre’s evolution while keeping the flame of family tradition alive. His presence on stage is captivating, inviting the audience to immerse themselves in the emotional richness of his unique performance.
Press
“That a twenty-year-old, the son of a flamenco guitar master, ends up becoming a guitarist shouldn’t surprise us; that he has become a phenomenon is less common, but that he also truly knows how to compose is rather rare.
This first album by José Fernández, ‘the child of Tomate,’ shows us that it’s not about being born into it, but about becoming it—carving your own path with determination, without rest, and staying committed to your own music. From good springs come good rivers. The goal is to design a repertoire and have a personal touch when composing.
In a world where flamenco guitar is living a time of splendor, where guitarists are emerging everywhere, each pursuing their own truth, leaving their mark, their stamp, their personal brand—bringing something new is no easy task. It’s about being sincere and not being carried away by the trivial or the easy. You must create a personal repertoire that clearly reflects your talent.
Like father, like son. José has carefully thought through every measure; he doesn’t let himself be swayed by passing trends. He is inspired by what he has learned, by the road already traveled, long enough to project his own style and reflect it in different touches that clearly show how a young man from Almería today conceives flamenco through the guitar.”
– Faustino Núñez