The Brotherhood of Los Gitanos de Utrera, owner, creator and organizer of the “Potaje Gitano” - First Festival Flamenco of Spain - is pleased to officially and publicly announce that the next edition of its prestigious event will pay tribute to the figure of the singer and singer from Huelva, Pitingo.
The delegated committee of the Brotherhood that manages the festival is delighted with this appointment, considering that this artist will join the list of illustrious honorees of the Gypsy Stew with all the honors and merits.
The organization has considered Pitingo to be an indisputable figure in the current Spanish musical panorama, one of the great flamenco voices of this era, an original quality performer who has managed to combine his innovative personal contributions to music while always maintaining respect for the flamenco traditional and has forged an artistic career highly recognized and praised by the public, critics and his colleagues. A professional journey of more than two decades that has also included a stop and inn at our Potaje Gitano, where he already made his debut.
successfully in 2009 and where he triumphed again in the 2010 and 2013 editions, displaying artistry, professionalism and humility on stage, which has earned him the recognition, admiration and predilection of our most loyal audiences.
After more than twenty years on stage, the numbers of Pitingo's musical career speak for themselves: seven great albums, more than 500.000 records sold, double platinum records, five gold records, more than 1.500 concerts and more than four million spectators on his tours that have taken him all over the world...
In addition, 2025 marks the 600th anniversary of the arrival of the Roma people to Spain, a momentous date to highlight the rich Roma contribution to the history and culture of our country.
and the Gypsy Stew, unique in its kind that advocates the protection and dissemination of the forms, manifestations and expressions of Andalusian Gypsy art as a hallmark, wants to contribute to this celebration by paying tribute to the man who is currently the most international Spanish Gypsy artist of the 21st century and a true paradigm, both personally and artistically, of fusion and interculturality.
Pitingo means "presumptuous" in Caló, the mixed language of Spanish Roma. His real name is Antonio Manuel Álvarez Vélez, born on November 6, 1980, in Ayamonte (Huelva). Pitingo is synonymous with fusion and fusion from his very roots; he is mixed and borderline, like his music. His mother is Roma and flamenco, and his father is non-Roma and a Civil Guard—which would have been enough for a Lorca copla—and this mixture has given him a rich and diverse cultural and musical background. On his mother's side, he comes from a family with a great flamenco singing tradition, which combines the Carpio, Valencia, and Pelaos de Triana families with branches of the Mojama and Mijitafrom Jerez.
Along with his natural flamenco heritage, Pitingo's passion for Black American music, particularly soul and gospel, was a fundamental influence on his artistic development. From a very young age, he was nourished by emblematic artists such as Aretha Franklin, Marvin Gaye, and Ray Charles, who profoundly influenced his musical style. The fusion of flamenco and soul became his hallmark, and that
The combination of passion and elegance is evident in her voice, creating a unique style that has captivated audiences. From Ayamonte to Mississippi, in Spanish, English, or Caló…
Pitingo's artistic career took off in Madrid as a teenager, where he was sponsored by the Morente and Habichuela families. Before dedicating himself entirely to music, Pitingo worked at Barajas Airport carrying suitcases, while he began working in Madrid's tablaos and flamenco venues. His perseverance and talent led him to record his first album and perform on various stages, establishing himself as a promising exponent of the new flamenco.
In his second album, titled 'Soulería' (2008), Pitingo thoroughly explores the fusion of flamenco and soul.
This concept, created by the singer himself, shows us his unique vision of how these two seemingly distant genres can complement and enrich each other. Through his powerful and nuanced voice, he manages to convey the passion and emotion that characterize both musical traditions. In this album, which marked a turning point in his career, consolidating his musical offering and opening new doors in the Spanish music scene, Pitingo performs palos classics of flamenco, such as soleares, alegrías, bulerías, and fandangos, and combines them with covers of unforgettable songs by international artists such as Bob Marley, The Beatles, the Police, Otis Redding, Ray Charles, and Nirvana. This eclectic repertoire demonstrates his versatility and ability to fuse styles.
Other notable albums in his career are “Pitingo con Habichuelas” (2006), “Olé y Amén” (2010), “Malecón Street” (2015), “Casmbio de Tercio” (2014) and “Soul, Bulería y Más” (2016), in which he continues to explore the fusion of flamenco and soul, including covers of artists such as Donna Summer and Stevie Wonder, among others.
Pitingo has experimented with other musical genres, further expanding his artistic proposal, incorporating elements of pop, rock, funky and even Latin music in some of his works, demonstrating his versatility and his ability to adapt to different styles. These incursions into other genres have allowed him to explore new sounds and enrich his music, without losing the essence that characterizes him. Pitingo has become a benchmark for musical fusion in Spain, leading to the flamenco to other expectations and attracting a diverse audience eager for new proposals.
The Huelva-born artist's celebrity and popularity have allowed him to combine his musical career with collaborations in film and television. He has participated in the original soundtracks for the films "Atún y Chocolate" and "Cándida," and in a cover of the theme song for the series "Cuéntame Cómo Pasado." His musical experience and knowledge have even allowed him to serve on the judging panel of successful talent shows, evaluating and advising contestants on their path to success. His appearances on top-rated television programs have captivated both his fans and critics, demonstrating his artistic versatility.
Pitingo's career has been marked by extraordinary commercial success and recognition in the music industry. His albums have not only achieved high sales but have also captured the attention and taste of the public. The artistic quality and originality of his musical work have been widely recognized both nationally and internationally, and he has received numerous awards throughout his career.
Pitingo has been awarded the prestigious Ondas de la Música Award 2008, special mention for new flamenco movements, the 2009 Music Award for Breakthrough Artist, the GQ Award for Best Musician of the Year 2008, the PROMUSICAE Award from the Spanish Academy of Music, the Protagonistas Award in the Breakthrough Artist category, the Cadena Dial Award, the El Público Award from Canal Sur Radio for Breakthrough Artist, the Cadena Dial Award 2011, the Cuba-Disco International Award 2013, the Escaparate Award 2015, the Radiolé Awards 2015 and 2016, the FSG Gypsy Secretariat Foundation Award 2016, the Llongueras Award 2009, the Pata Negra Award from Corral de la Morería 2018 and the Cofrade del Flamenco 2019, and has been nominated for the 2022 Latin Grammy Awards. These awards represent just a small sample of the recognition Pitingo has received throughout his career. His commercial success and the quality of his music have left an indelible mark on the Spanish music industry, consolidating his position as one of the most prominent and recognized artists in the field of music. flamenco and soul at an international level.
Pitingo's long, brilliant, and eventful artistic career will see a new golden page added to his life with the tribute that the Gypsy Brotherhood of Utrera will pay him in the sixty-ninth edition of its Gypsy Stew.
The festival's organizing committee announces that this flamenco event will take place on Saturday, June 28, 2025, in the traditional and iconic setting of the Patio del Colegio Salesiano. The committee will soon announce the cast of artists who will accompany the honoree on the lineup.
Finally, it is worth remembering that the funds raised during the Gypsy Stew celebration will be allocated to the charitable and social purposes that the Brotherhood serves, being the oldest of the festivals. flamencoIt is an event without parallel in promoting flamenco culture and solidarity.
Pitingo
