Luis de la Carrasca

Luis de la Carrasca is the son of María Fernández Torres and Francisco Valero Puentes. He was born in the cave where his grandmother Antonia (known as Aunt Amadea) was living, with the help of a midwife as the maternity hospital was full that day.

Luis grew up on the farm called « La Carrasca », on the road to Castril de las Peñas. He was first introduced to the art of flamenco by his father and his older brother and learnt to play the guitar while looking after the sheeps grazing in the field, for he used to be a shepherd.

In fact, he had always had this passion for singing within him and his extreme and intimate sensitivity. He inherited this « afición » from his father’s side the family. They were not professional artists but they were great « aficionados ». Their family tree shows that they were originally from Linares.

Luis de la Carrasca left the family farm for the first time at the age of 20 to do his military service in San Fernando in the province of Cadiz. This is where his love for flamenco was confirmed. Singing, or « cante jondo », became his driving force, inspiration and struggle. After his military service he went back to the farm but quickly realized that singing could be a way to escape that hard lifestlye.

He then began working as a « cantaor » and accompanied his singing on his guitar. He went to Ibiza, Alicante, Castellón and Palma de Mallorca to perform wherever he was asked to: restaurants, ferias, private parties etc... His only aim was to carry on learning day after day so that his talent would be recognized.

At that time he got to meet lots of other singers and was part of different groups. In Benidorm, he was lucky enough to take part in several « juergas », which are festive gathering among flamenco artists. He became friends with the great dancer Juan Rámirez who introduced him to his world.

In 1991 he moved to Avignon and started his own group. Ever since, he has done a great work to develop flamenco in France by performing on different concert halls throughout the country.

Luis’s professional career really started during the world-famous Avignon Festival. Since 1991, he has produced a new show at each Festival. This Festival is also an opportunity to introduce young talented artists that Luis can accompany on their way to professionnalisation. In 2010 he celebrated his twentieth participation in the Festival.