Flamenco Legend Tomatito at Koerner Hall

José Fernández Torres, better known as Tomatito (born in Almería, Spain in 1958), is one of the greatest living flamenco guitarist. He started his career accompanying famed flamenco singer Camarón de la Isla (with Paco de Lucía). Tomatito made his debut at Koerner Hall in Toronto on the evening of October 28th, 2016. On this North American tour through United States and Canada Tomatito has been accompanied by his young son, José del Tomate, who is certainly following in his father’s steps. Tomatito has been also joined by the magnificent percussionist Israel Suárez, better known as “Piraña”, by David Maldonado and Kiki Cortiñas on clapping and vocals and by José Maya, a tremendous “bailaor” (dancer) who steals the hearts of the audiences wherever they perform.

The program included well known compositions from Tomatito’s extensive repertoire, including Rondeña, Alegrías, Bulerías, Leyenda del tiempo, Bolero, Bulería lenta, La Vacilona, Soleá, as well as the songs Two Much, composed by Dominican pianist Michel Camilo and Our Spain, composed by the late Charlie Haden.

Photos of Tomatito by Atael Weissman (click to enlarge)