Jose Carmona She has lost count of the years her family has been hosting flamenco celebrities in port-de-bouc, in the urban agglomeration known as Marseille-Aix-en-Provence (France). Four decades, at least. His grandparents were originally from Malaga, his parents emigrated to France in search of work, but the geographical distance did not diminish their passion for art. jondoBut he multiplied it. “Every chance we got, we went to all the festivals, and that’s where we met all the artists,” he recalls. Decades forging friendships that last to this day: this Saturday they will celebrate a festival with the flamenco singer Antonio Vargas Cortés, Potito, as the star of the poster.
The Provence-Alpes-Côte d'Azur region, like all of southern France, has traditionally been a fertile breeding ground for flamencoThey are passionate. Spanish surnames are found in that large area with a high population concentration, and it is not uncommon for even a notable artist to emerge from there: Joseph the FrenchThe Montpellier school is a recurring example. John CarmonaJosé's cousin, who after a few years in Jerez accompanies numerous French singers and dancers on guitar.
But Port-de-Bouc is a different case. “For us, the flamenco It has been a treasure. For as long as I can remember, every time I opened my eyes in my house, the fife was playing,” recalls José Carmona, whose surname links him to the Bean from Granada, from whose Madrid branch arose the Ketama“I would like to bring Antonio Carmona"He adds.
De Camarón y Jose Merce a Cocoon from Jerez o Diego Amador a Montse Cortes, Moneo o Pansequito a Pastori girl, Manuel Molina a Tomatito, The Cake, The Monkey y Remedios Amaya a Parrita, CanelitaThe Carmona family album is a catalog of boundless talent.
«'For us the flamenco It has been a blessing. For as long as I can remember, every time I opened my eyes at home, the fife was playing,” recalls José Carmona, whose surname links him to the Habichuela family of Granada, from whose Madrid branch Ketama emerged.”
Those memories pile up in José's mind. “Once we went to a tribute to Juan Villar At the Cervantes Theatre, we wanted to see him and they asked us if we were related to the artist. He himself came out of his dressing room and said: 'They aren't, but it might as well be, because they take a plane to see me, because that's how they are.' flamencos'”.
“All this makes things much easier for us. A The ticks We invited them when they were in France, and although we thought it would be difficult, they replied, "If it's for Port-de-Bouc, we'll come down." And when I called Potito, the contract was signed in two seconds: "Do you remember us? We'd love for you to come." And he accepted immediately: he told us we work like the old-fashioned way, "We haven't even stepped on stage yet and everyone's already been paid." They really like us." Furthermore, Carmona adds, they have the support of the City Council to organize their festivals. "Before, I had to fill out endless paperwork, but not anymore. They've seen that we do things right and they trust us."
José's skills in attracting artists to the Marseilles coast earned him the affectionate nickname of Pulpo...referring to the legendary artist representative. Thus, he began to introduce himself as José 'Pulpón' Carmona“Once, Pulpón’s daughters called me and asked out of curiosity if we were related… I apologized if I had offended them by using their surname, and they replied that no, it was an honor for them.”
José also enjoyed recording recitals and parties with a video camera, which allows us to dream of an unfathomable, unpublished treasure. “I have a recording of Morao’s birthday party that lasted 48 hours… I have Potito at 14 years old, singing in a caravan… Once, Capullo de Jerez was singing and he told me, ‘Record it, Canalsur!’”
“Artists come here and say: Port-de-Bouc smells like Andalusia, it smells like flamenco“That’s why I’m already 60, but my nephews are picking up the pace,” concludes Carmona, who believes the Port-de-Bouc festivals’ future is guaranteed by the new generations. “And the artists recognize them: ‘Are you Carmona? Well, let’s go.’ The door has been opened for them, making their path easier.” ♦
