Nothing new on the Western Front. The world is crazy, everything changes from one day to the next, forcing us to live in a permanent state of uncertainty and check the news every minute… But Tomatito She steps onto a stage and everything seems to fall back into place. There are no surprises, but neither are there any shocks. We feel like we're on solid, familiar ground. That's what safe bets are like, for better or for worse.
Jose Fernandez Torres I was returning to the Nîmes Festival once again, remembering when I visited the French city with CamarónIt's been many years, but he's incredibly youthful; from a distance, he looks like a young man. The city theater had sold out a few days earlier, proof that for the French public, he's a... an artist with legendary statusAnd, curiously, after two days in which we only heard canned music at the various shows, knowing that the sound of a guitar in real time would return to our ears seemed –who would have thought– quite an experience.
Furthermore, it's important to remember that a large part of the music scene in this area, as well as in neighboring Marseille, originates from Almería, so the geographical connection added to the musical anticipation. Accompanied by his quintet, the guitarist arrived promptly to begin with a rondeña and continue with alegrías, with the support of Kiki Cortinas y Little brown boy from Íllora on the microphones.
Next up, the beautiful ballad Two much that Tomatito recorded with Michel CamilloThis time, playing two guitars with his son Jose from Tomato, was dedicated to Paco de Lucíaseeking the emotional explosion with the interspersed notes of Between two watersAnd after some energetic bulerías, the offspring, the star pupil, again performed the zambra dedicated to that illustrious ancestor who is Child Michael, with the notes of the shrimp Lullaby of the Big Horse by way of introduction.
"The Nîmes audience was delighted with the hour and a half of Gypsy guitar music that Tomate delivered, and they showed their appreciation with standing ovations. That's the thing about a sure thing; it's always worth the price of admission. There are no surprises, sure, but no shocks either."
A lively version of the legend of time It once again demonstrated how Tomatito honors his past and those who walked the path with him. The same can be said of his singers, with constant lyrical and vocal nods to the genius of the Island. From that moment on, they never strayed from the triangle of tangos, bulerías, and rumba, the latter—the contagious The Fun One, another piece shared with Michel Camilo – with a Joni Cortes in a state of grace
Tomatito is, without a doubt, a living history of flamencoHis years with Camarón enough for May his name be indelible in the annals of Olympus jondoBut he is also the author of a more than respectable solo body of work, not always given its due, and of risky musical ventures that have always been successful. I say this because, as a listener, I understand that the Almería native's repertoire pleases the general public by recalling the aforementioned milestones, but I would have also liked to see, and hear, him step outside that comfort zone at some point and surprise us.
Is that too much to ask of a veteran like him? I don't think so. His abilities are still at a very high level, and in any case, he has his José as a more than reliable escort. In fact, I believe that this new energy should inspire him to keep exploring, not resign himself to retracing familiar paths. A good combination of classic themes and daring ideas would undoubtedly enrich the proposal.
But anyway, it's a bit of a wish. As for the Nîmes audience, they were delighted with the hour and a half of flamenco guitar music that Tomate delivered, and they showed their appreciation with enthusiastic applause. That's the thing about a sure thing; it's always worth the price of admission. No surprises, sure, but no shocks either.
Credits
Tomatito's guitar recital
Festival Flamenco from Nîmes 2026
Theater of Nîmes, Bernadette Lafont
February 15th 2026
Tomatito, guitar
José del Tomate, second guitar
Kiki Cortiñas and Morenito de Íllora, cante
Joni Cortes, percussion
