Aire by Compañía Antonio Granjero at Flamenco Festival of Montreal 2018

The company of Andalusian dancer Antonio Granjero makes its Montreal debut with “Aire,” a featured show of the 6th edition of the Flamenco Festival of Montreal.

Aire

“Aire” has always been one of the most used expressions in the language of Flamenco. The very element –air– is essential to life, but also to Flamenco. It is a vital element, an essence, it is intoxicating, it transports smells such as jasmine in Seville, the sea in Cádiz, wine in Jérez –or just fresh, pure air. All are synonymous with Flamenco. The expression “tiene aire” is also used to define certain styles (Caribbean, Cádiz, Abandolaos, Gypsy) from the province of Huelva, Jérez, etc.

About the artists

Antonio Granjero was born in Jerez de la Frontera, Spain. He began his studies of classical Spanish, classical ballet, and Famenco when he was ten with Paco del Río. A year-and-a-half later, he made his debut at Madrid’s Centro Cultural de la Villa with the presence of the prince and the princess of Spain. Granjero has performed in countries such as Israel, Italy, England, Switzerland, France, Japan.

Ángel Ruiz, from Córdoba, Spain, started playing Flamenco guitar at the age of 12 with maestros Philippe Donnier and Rafael Rodriguez “Merengue de Cordoba”. He began his professional career at the age of 18 in the tablaos of Cordoba, El Cardenal and La Buleria and in several Flamenco festivals. In 2002, he received the first prize as guitarist accompanist of the Jovenes Flamencos contest in Cordoba.

Francisco Javier Orozco “Yiyi” was born in Barcelona, from Andalusian parents. Yiyi started his Flamenco journey at the age of 4. At the Peña Fosoforito, he took his first classes under the tutelage of his father and maestro, Joselón de Jérez. Considered a child prodigy of percussion, he began his professional career at the age of 12. At 17, he published his first album, began his career as a singer, and joined the Flamenco Rubio Compañía in Germany.

Estefania Ramirez began dancing at the early age of four. In her teen years, she began working in the professional dance environment, studying classical ballet, modern dance and African dance forms. Shortly after, she traveled to London, England and debuted at the Royal Albert Hall. Ramirez is the co-director of Entre Flamenco Company with Antonio Granjero, and has founded the Spanish DanzArt Society, a nonprofit organization. With Entre Flamenco Company, she was awarded the 2010 Choreography award from the Artist Foundation of San Antonio.