Tomatito

• World Music

Hailing from a long flamenco dynasty, the guitarist José Fernández Torres, known as Tomatito, has been performing on stage for some 50 years now. He follows in the footsteps of his father and grandfather – both known as El Tomate – and his uncle Niño Miguel, yet another guitar legend. Virtuoso guitar techniques, passionate singing, incessant percussion and inimitable flamenco dancing all transport the Elbphilharmonie to the Costa del Sol – for a short musical excursion to Spain’s Mediterranean south!

Tomatito translates as »little tomato«. What an understatement! Tomatito began his career as a guitarist accompanying the iconic flamenco singer Camarón de la Isla, and has also toured with the guitar grandmaster Paco de Lucía. He remains firmly rooted in flamenco music to this day, performing in a style that is both deeply traditional and highly modern. One Viennese press outlet, for instance, could not contain its praise: »Tomatito knits new layers under and over the clichés of flamenco with his frenzied tones. Improvising, he traverses the borders between jazz, bossa nova and blues. He layers a rhythmic foundation with an inspiring looseness over the melodious side of his soloing, an uninterrupted sequence of finesse and miniatures.«

Tomatito’s ensemble also includes his son José Fernández, aka »José del Tomate«. He became a part of the guitar dynasty as a teenager and has inherited both the nickname and his family’s formidable talents. Tomatito was a guest at the Elbphilharmonie for the first time during the 2017 opening season – and his return promises to be yet another Spanish fiesta!

PERFORMERS

Tomatito guitar

José del Tomate guitar

Joni Cortés percussion

Kiki Cortiñas vocals

Morenito de Íllora vocals

Karime Algaba dance