Jose Mendez He played at home on Friday, in the Peña The Buleria from her neighborhood of San Miguel. The organization that decided almost fifty years ago –it was founded in 1977– to name as its honorary godmother La Paquera de JerezHe had one of the most famous descendants of this singing dynasty. José is the grandson of The Pili, one of the most renowned festival participants of the 50s in Jerez who did not want to dedicate himself to flamenco professional because he was doing quite well selling fish, the family trade.
Paquera herself, his mother's first cousin, gave him his big debut in the Seville Biennale It was 1988 when José was just a kid. Almost forty years have passed since then, and the flamenco singer is still fighting every day, "because this is how I make a living." He moved to Seville fourteen years ago, after traveling the world, and he's dedicated to it, "because what Seville has given me, Jerez never did." He was assertive, yet grateful for the opportunity to perform in the festival. Nights of San Telmo, commenting at the beginning that "we must take care of the flamenco"from the City Council to the artists themselves."
"It was with seguiriyas that José Méndez brought the audience to its feet, taking Manuel Torre's Santiago and Santa Ana to the limit. He is a consummate flamenco singer, with style and definition. The tangos took us back to his time with Parrilla de Jerez, to the linked verses that his ancestors performed."
In the front row, his uncle Antonio Méndez El Chusco"The one who taught me everything." The flamenco singer returned to his homeland after some time and left nothing behind. He took to the stage with all his weapons: naturalness, power, and knowledge. He's a flamenco singer, but he never fails to infuse each style with the Jerez flavor. He began with alegrías, letting himself be carried away by the refined guitar of July RomeroExcellent from beginning to end. The rhythm continued to sound in the palmas de Tate y Nunez strain to listen to bulerías. Canteshort, rhythmic, reminiscent of Uncle BorricoIt was with seguiriyas that he managed to bring the audience to its feet, pushing the Santiago and Santa Ana to the limit. Manuel TorreHe is a consummate flamenco singer, with style and a defined voice. The tangos transported us back to his era with Jerez Grill, to the linked thirds that their ancestors made.
Before the second half began, the board of directors went on stage to pay tribute to one of their own, Marisa Gallén, who passed away unexpectedly in December. Following the president's emotional words, Jose Manuel RodriguezHer husband came on stage, Noli, to receive the Gold Badge of the peñaMarisa was a Madrid native living in El Puerto de Santa María, dedicated to the hospitality industry, who came to the organization in 2010 through her family, giving 100% until her departure.
José began the second half with a taranto, followed by a soleá with a dedication to the teacher Anna Maria Lopez, present there. "I only drink water, I inherited sugar instead of a bank account," he joked. Enjoying the toná and martinete, and a subsequent explosion of bulerías with the hallmark of his lineage. Masterful and with all the peña playing the palmas Ana María thanked them for the dedication with a lively bulerías dance to the rhythm of the artists, closing an emotional evening with a great atmosphere despite Jerez roaring with the Motorcycle Grand Prix. ♦
