José Mercé
| José Mercé | |
|---|---|
 José Mercé | |
| Background information | |
| Birth name | José Soto Soto |
| Born | April 19, 1955 |
| Origin | Barrio de Santiago, Jerez de la Frontera, Andalusia, Spain |
| Genres | Flamenco, Jazz |
| Occupation(s) | Singer, Composer, Guitarist |
| Instruments | Guitar |
| Years active | 1967–present |
| Associated acts | Mario Maya, El Güito, Carmen Mora, Antonio Gades, Enrique De Melchor, Tomatito, Vicente Amigo and Moraito |
| Website | http://www.josemerce.es/ |
José Mercé (born José Soto Soto in 1955 in Santiago, Jerez de la Frontera, Spain) is a flamenco cantaor (singer). Already as 12-year-old he performed at Flamenco Festivals. Later he moved to Madrid where he recorded his first album in 1968.[1]
Family
He is the great-grandson of nineteenth-century seguiriya maestro Francisco Valencia, who received the nickname Paco la Luz.
He is also nephew of Manuel Soto Sordera, the patriarch of Jerez flamenco. Mercé's nickname comes from his participation in the choir of the Basilica de la Merced when he was a boy.[2]
Production
The youthful Mercé became one of the most sought-after singers for accompanying dance, and he has worked with the Trío Madrid, formed by Mario Maya, El Güito and Carmen Mora. From 1973 to 1983 he joined the company of Antonio Gades, with which he travelled half-way around half the world and took part in the film Bodas de Sangre, by Carlos Saura.
He has also worked with guitarists Enrique De Melchor, Tomatito, Vicente Amigo and Moraito.
Discography
- Bandera de Andalucía (1968)
- Desnudando el Alma (1994)
- Del Amanecer… (1998)
- Caminos reales del cante (1999)
- Aire (2000)
- Cuerpo y Alma (2001)
- Recopilación. Verde junco y otros éxitos (2002)
- Lío (2002)
- Quebrando el Aire (2002)
- Verde junco & Hondas Raices (2004)
- Ruido (2010)
- Mi única llave (2012)
- Doy La Cara (2016)
- Contributing artist
Awards
- In 1986 he won the Córdoba National Competition (Concurso Nacional de Arte Flamenco de Córdoba).
- In 2010 he received the Medalla de Andalucía for his merits as flamenco singer.[3]
- In 2013 José Mercé's album Mi única llave was nominated for the Grammy Latinos in the category "Best Flamenco Album".[4]