Calima

Bassist Juanlu, a co-founder of the globally celebrated flamenco fusion ensemble Ojos de Brujo, steers Calima toward an expanded vision of that sound by drawing together a broad roster of international players whose combined work earned swift praise, among them a Latin Grammy nomination for the 2007 debut release Azul.

He and guitarist Ramón Giménez launched Ojos de Brujo in Barcelona in 1990 under Juanlu’s alternate name El Cani. Persistent worldwide touring and a signature mix of styles—especially hip-hop rhythms paired with rap—helped the group win lasting international admiration over the ensuing years. Born in Barcelona, Juanlu had lived for stretches in Los Angeles and Brazil and already carried experience from several earlier bands when he exited Ojos de Brujo after their 2006 album Techarí, their strongest commercial success to that point.

Once free of those commitments, he revived Calima—originally formed in 2004—as a full-time project. Its fluid membership includes David “El Rubio” on vocals and guitar from Barcelona, Giner “El Negro” delivering rap and flamenco vocals from Venezuela, Chus “El Tobalo” on cajón and piano from Badajoz in Spain, Antonio “El Flamencorro” on guitar from Sevilla, Fran “El Geiaka” handling percussion from Granada in Spain, Laura “La Bicha” performing flamenco dance from Barcelona, Diego Lezkano on conga and drums from Argentina, Nicola “El Newspaper Boy” on trumpet from California, and Ann “La Niña” on violin from Sweden, plus rotating additional musicians and a Calima Big Band that regularly adds roughly half a dozen further names.

The 2007 sessions for Azul likewise enlisted numerous guest performers from abroad, yielding an authentic cross-cultural blend. EMI issued the album, which critics greeted warmly in light of Juanlu’s pedigree; it received a 2007 Latin Grammy nomination for Best Flamenco Album, an honor that ultimately went to Ojos de Brujo for Techarí. Calima maintained an active touring schedule through 2007 and 2008, appearing at festivals including Viñarock and Flamenco Festival de Barcelona.