The “Viernes Jondos” series, showcasing the winners of the Concurso Nacional de Cante Jondo Antonio Mairena, was back last Friday, February 23rd, at the Casa del Arte Flamenco Antonio Mairena with the fourth performance of its third edition, featuring the cantaor José Segovia José Canela¹, accompanied by the guitar of El Perla. the stage of this peña in Mairena has already featured Inmaculada Rivero, José Parrondo and Rubio de Pruna.

After the obligatory introduction by Manuel Jiménez Ríos (president of the peña), the cantaor from San Roque, flanked by his guitarist from Seville’s Macarena district, got on stage at 10 PM to begin a recital which got better and better, for the great pleasure of the flamenco aficionados who packed the venue. He started with cantiñas and alegrías, repeating several well-liked verses, showing right off the bat not only Canela Hijo’s graceful command of the cantes de compás, but also his firm and serene voice.

The cantaor then introduced his second cante: “Por soleá”, what prompted a member of the public to cheer spontaneously “Remember your father, singing por soleá!”, as the cantaor quipped “Can’t do otherwise!”. He also sang por tientos and then por seguiriyas, completely captivating the whole venue. It’s not that anyone doubted José’s zeal for purity at this stage, yet his passion for traditional cante moves and overwhelms in equal parts. El Perla was also outstanding, with his clean and highly skilled toque, which always matched the intensity and tempo of the cantaor from Cádiz.

The second-to-last cante chosen by Canela was bulería por soleá, closing por bulerías, with the public giving the recital a standing ovation. At the bar of the peña, the opinions were unanimous and some dared to say that José Canela’s recital was the best ever seen in the whole Viernes Jondos series. The protagonist had not performed in Mairena since winning the prizes Antonio Mairena (2004) and Casa de Arte Flamenco (2007), and confessed to feel delighted and proud.

The Viernes Jondos series, organized by Mairena del Alcor’s municipal Arts Council (Delegación de Cultura), Will be back on April 27th with the cante of Antonio Ortega Hijo, joined by the guitar of El Peroles.

Alberto Guillén

Translation note: ¹ José Canela, born in San Roque (province of Cádiz), was the son of the late cantaor Canela de San Roque, and is also known as “Canela Hijo” (Canela Jr.)

Translated by P. Young