Carlos Montoya

Carlos García Montoya (13 December 19033 March 1993) was a flamenco guitarist.

Early life He was the nephew of flamenco guitarist Ramón Montoya. He first learned from his mother, "la Tula", and then from a neighboring barber, Pepe el Barbero ('Pepe the Barber'). After one year Montoya had completed what Pepe was able to teach him. Carlos left to learn what he could from other flamenco guitarists of the time. At fourteen he was playing in the "cafes cantantes," in the heyday of flamenco singing and dancing, for such artists as Antonio de Bilbao, Juan el Estampío, La Macarrona and La Camisona in Madrid, Spain.

Career In the 1920s and the 1930s, he performed extensively in Europe, North America, and Asia with the likes of La Teresina. The outbreak of World War II brought him to the United States where he began his most successful days as a musician, During this period he made a few recordings for several major and independent labels including RCA Victor, ABC-Paramount, Everest and Folkways, performing traditional flamenco music such as Farruca., Malaga and Hokie.

When World War II broke out in Europe in 1939, he was on tour in the United States, and decided to settle in New York City, eventually becoming a U.S. citizen. During his career he also performed on television and recorded over forty albums, including Suite Flamenco, a concerto he performed with the Saint Louis Symphony Orchestra in 1966.

Montoya is credited with having transformed flamenco guitar music into a separate music style, beyond being a traditional dance accompaniment.

Discography

Year Album title 1950 Spanish Guitar Solos 1957 Flamenco Guitar 1958 Carlos Montoya and His Flamenco Guitar 1958 Flamenco Fire 1959 From St. Louis to Seville.1960.. Carlos Montoya 1961 Malagueña 1963 Flamenco Antiguo 1964 Flamenco Concert 1967 The Artistry Of Carlos Montoya 1996 Flamenco! 2004 Guitar & Flamenco

Filmography Carmen, la de Triana (1938)