Biography
Diego Ramón Jiménez Salazar answers to the stage name Diego el Cigala, or “the Little Prawn,” among today’s flamenco audiences. José Monje Cruz, the celebrated flamenco singer, bestowed the moniker on account of the vocalist’s diminutive stature and the outsized emotion that erupts from him; the epithet also nods to Cruz’s own sobriquet “Camarón,” the Spanish word for shrimp. Early performances took place in flamenco circles throughout Madrid’s El Rastro neighborhood, after which he was engaged to support many of the genre’s most renowned dancers. In 1994, backed by guitarist Antón Jiménez, he stepped “in front”—flamenco parlance for launching a solo career. A succession of successful recordings established his standing within the flamenco world, yet international recognition arrived with the 2004 album Lágrimas Negras, a collaboration with Cuban jazz pianist Bebo Valdés that drew lavish praise from both The New York Times and BBC Radio. Two years afterward, Picasso en Mis Ojos, issued by Sony BMG, earned the 2006 Latin Grammy for Best Flamenco Album. Capitalizing on that triumph, the label released the 2008 compilation simply titled Cigala. Concurrently, he convened all-star musicians from Spain and Cuba in studios across both nations to reinterpret boleros, ballads, and tangos. The resulting Dos Lágrimas appeared in 2009 and yielded three charting singles: “Dos Gardenias,” “Maria de la O,” and “Historia de un Amor.”
Restless once more, the singer next turned to Argentinian tango. He journeyed to Buenos Aires to capture a live performance at the historic Gran Rex theater, augmenting his regular ensemble with bandoneonist Nestor Marconi, guitarist Juanjo Domínguez, violinist Pablo Agri, and cellist Diego Sanchez; additional Argentine contributors included rocker Andrés Calamaro. Issued exclusively in Spain during June 2010, Cigala & Tango moved 74,000 copies in its opening week. By October the album had reached Argentina and Colombia as well, attaining gold status and securing the Latin Grammy for Best Tango Album.
Cigala spent the ensuing two years touring the project worldwide, yet carved out time to record Romance de La Luna Tucumana in 2013, a daring fusion of classic Andalusian song, tango, and rock. Produced by Diego Garcia, known professionally as El Twanguero, who also contributed his intense electric and acoustic guitar work, the album earned Cigala another Latin Grammy for Best Tango Album.
During a subsequent tour he cut Vuelve el Flamenco as a tribute to Paco De Lucia. Captured live in Barcelona, the sessions featured guitarist Diego Morao and cajon accompaniment.
Late in 2014 Cigala relocated to the Dominican Republic. He maintained an active touring schedule, including dates alongside Cuban legend Omara Portuondo, while his wife Amparo Fernandez waged a battle with cancer. She passed away unexpectedly during his stay in Los Angeles, prompting him to proceed with that evening’s concert in her honor. Following his return home and a brief pause, he resumed both road work and studio activity. Still mourning and steeped in the influence of Portuondo and the Cuban musicians he had worked with, he embarked on an ambitious healing project. Engaging six studios spanning Spain, Puerto Rico, Cuba, Colombia, the Dominican Republic, New York, and Miami, he recorded Indestructible, his debut salsa album. A roster of producers and luminaries from Cuban and salsa traditions—Gonzalo Rubalcaba, Oscar D’Leon, Horacio “El Negro” Hernandez, Larry Harlow, Roberto Roena, and Los Muñequitos de Matanzas—joined the sessions. Indestructible reached stores in October 2016.
Restless once more, the singer next turned to Argentinian tango. He journeyed to Buenos Aires to capture a live performance at the historic Gran Rex theater, augmenting his regular ensemble with bandoneonist Nestor Marconi, guitarist Juanjo Domínguez, violinist Pablo Agri, and cellist Diego Sanchez; additional Argentine contributors included rocker Andrés Calamaro. Issued exclusively in Spain during June 2010, Cigala & Tango moved 74,000 copies in its opening week. By October the album had reached Argentina and Colombia as well, attaining gold status and securing the Latin Grammy for Best Tango Album.
Cigala spent the ensuing two years touring the project worldwide, yet carved out time to record Romance de La Luna Tucumana in 2013, a daring fusion of classic Andalusian song, tango, and rock. Produced by Diego Garcia, known professionally as El Twanguero, who also contributed his intense electric and acoustic guitar work, the album earned Cigala another Latin Grammy for Best Tango Album.
During a subsequent tour he cut Vuelve el Flamenco as a tribute to Paco De Lucia. Captured live in Barcelona, the sessions featured guitarist Diego Morao and cajon accompaniment.
Late in 2014 Cigala relocated to the Dominican Republic. He maintained an active touring schedule, including dates alongside Cuban legend Omara Portuondo, while his wife Amparo Fernandez waged a battle with cancer. She passed away unexpectedly during his stay in Los Angeles, prompting him to proceed with that evening’s concert in her honor. Following his return home and a brief pause, he resumed both road work and studio activity. Still mourning and steeped in the influence of Portuondo and the Cuban musicians he had worked with, he embarked on an ambitious healing project. Engaging six studios spanning Spain, Puerto Rico, Cuba, Colombia, the Dominican Republic, New York, and Miami, he recorded Indestructible, his debut salsa album. A roster of producers and luminaries from Cuban and salsa traditions—Gonzalo Rubalcaba, Oscar D’Leon, Horacio “El Negro” Hernandez, Larry Harlow, Roberto Roena, and Los Muñequitos de Matanzas—joined the sessions. Indestructible reached stores in October 2016.
Albums
Singles
