Biographical Overview & Key Facts

Subject:

Camarón de la Isla

Role / Field:

Legendary Spanish Gypsy flamenco singer, pivotal to the 20th-century revival.

Born:

1950-12-05

Died:

1992-07-02

Century / Era:

1950s Historical Era

Database Source:

2Day Chrono-Wiki & Wikipedia CC BY-SA 4.0

Origins & Early Life

José Monje Cruz (5 December 1950 – 2 July 1992), better known by his stage name Camarón de la Isla, was a Spanish flamenco singer. Considered one of the all-time greatest flamenco singers, he was noted for his collaborations with Paco de Lucía and Tomatito, and the three of them were of major importance to the revival of flamenco in the second half of the 20th century. He was born in San Fernando, Province of Cádiz, into a Spanish Gypsy family, the seventh of eight children. His mother was Juana Cruz Castro, a "Canastera", literally a basket weaver, a term used to describe wandering gypsy families, and whose gift of singing was a strong early influence.

Pivotal Works & Achievements

His father, Juan Luis Monje, was also a singer as well as a blacksmith, and had a forge where Camarón worked as a boy. His uncle José nicknamed him Camarón (Spanish for "Shrimp") because he was blonde and fair skinned. When his father died of asthma, while still very young, the family went through financial hardship. At the age of eight he began to sing at inns and bus stops with Rancapino to earn money. At sixteen, he won first prize at the Festival del Cante Jondo in Mairena del Alcor.

Enduring Legacy & Impact

Camarón then went to Madrid with...

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Frequently Asked Questions about Camarón de la Isla