Paco de Lucia

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Paco de Lucia (born Francisco Sanchez Gomez in Algeciras, Cadiz, Spain, 12-21-1947) one of the greatest living flamenco guitarist in the world. His stage name is an homage to his mother Lucia Gomez.
In 1958, at only age 11, de Lucia made his first public appearance and a year later he was awarded a special prize in the Jerez Flamenco competition. At 14 he was touring with the flamenco troupe of dancer Jose Greco. While on tour with Greco in the US Lucia met the great Sabicas, an influential guitarist whose name became synonymous with flamenco in the U.S. Sabicas encouraged Paco to pursue a more personal style. Only few years later Paco de Lucia made his debut at Carnegie Hall in 1970.
In 1968, Paco met Camaron de la Isla, one of the premier flamenco singers. Their association has been chronicled on more than 10 records.
DeLucia has been often criticized by flamenco gurus for his specific styles presented by Paco de Lucia sextet formed in 1981, with bass, drums, and saxophone. However Paco never stopped with expanding own musical style collaborating with great jazz musicians like pianist Chick Corea and fellow guitarists John McLaughlin, Larry Coryell and Al DiMeola.
These collaborations have been documented in several releases including the guitar trio albums Friday Night in San Francisco (1981) and Passion Grace and Fire (1982).
Paco has also recorded soundtracks for films such as Carlos Saura's Carmen, Borau's La Sabina, and the ballet Los Tarantos, presented at Madrid's prestigious Teatro de la Zarzuela in 1986.

Paco has died in February 24, 2014 of a heart attack. He was playing with his children on a beach in Cancun, Mexico, when he suddenly fell ill. His death was announced by the mayor’s office in Algeciras, southern Spain, where he was born.

Artist website: www.pacodelucia.org

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