Paco San José

Paco San José is a Cantabrian musician, composer, and teacher of traditional Cantabrian music.

Early life Francisco San José Mediavilla "Paco San José" was born on May 18, 1958, in Santander, Spain. He graduated from the Jesús de Monasterio Conservatory, as a music teacher man, specializing in the flute, and completed a course to be a choral conductor. He is also the founder of the Santander Piteros Band. In 2010 he also published the book The secret life of the piteros. 30 years of anecdotes and experiences.

In 2007 he received a commendation from the Parliament of Cantabria upon the 25th anniversary of the regions autonomy. In June 2022, he received the Proa Award from the Cantabrian Folklore Gala—a lifetime achievement award.

Personal life He is a keen mountaineer and climber in his spare time. He is married to María Gómez Ganzo, and has two daughters from a previous marriage, along with two grandchildren. The wedding ceremony took place on the summit of the Naranjo de Bulnes, or Picu Urriellu, and iconic peak in the Picos de Europa National Park.

Publications 2006 "El Clarinete Popular en Cantabria, el origen de los piteros" published by Spanist radio channel RNE.

2009 “El pitu montañés” in the journal Interfolk nº 41.

2010 “La vida secreta de los piteros” book.

2016 “Cuentos y Leyendas de los Picos de Europa” book.

Discography 1989 Pito y Tambor (Paco San José) Casette.

1996 Llanura Nazca (Colibrí) Cd.

2001 “El Templo del Sol” (Iguazú) Cd.

2001 “A lo vivu” (Luétiga) Cd.

2004 “La Lluvia del Arcoíris” (Paco San José) Cd.

2007 “En Directo” (Colibrí) Cd.

2008 Pito y Tambor tradicional (Paco San José) Cd.

2010 Polvora Fina (Landeral) Cd.

2011 La Música de las Danzas de Cantabria (Paco San José y otros folkloristas) Cd.

2015 Iquique (Colibrí) Cd.

2018 Piteros y Rabeles (Paco San José) Cd.

2019 En Directo (Nueva Alquimia).

2022 Valvanuz (Paco San José y otros folkloristas).

2025 Cantabria América (Paco San José, Julio Martínez Rionda y otros folkloristas.

Collaborations