Legendary Flamenco guitarist Paco de Lucia dies aged 66
Wednesday, February 26, 2014
Pioneering Spanish guitar virtuoso Paco de Lucia has died aged 66, reportedly of a heart attack while playing with his children on a beach in the holiday resort of Cancun, Mexico.
The son of flamenco guitarist Antonio Sanchez and the brother of a flamenco guitarist, Ramon, and flamenco singer, Pepe de Lucia, he famously also worked with contemporary jazz giants such as Chick Corea and recorded the best-selling live recording Friday Night In San Francisco with fellow guitar legends John McLaughlin and Al Di Meloa. He also collaborated with McLaughlin and guitarist Larry Coryell in 1979 and 1980 on the equally fiery Meeting of the Spirits concerts (see video below). His long-running flamenco sextet recorded several classic albums including La Fabulosa Guitarra de Paco de Lucia, Fantasia Flamenca, Fuente y Caudal, Almoraima, and Zyryab. He also paid homage to classical composer Manuel de Falla, on his celebrated 1980 album Interpreta a Manuel de Falla.
Lucia was also a regular visitor to Britain performing several sold-out concerts in recent years including a sensational Flamenco show the Royal Festival Hall – bringing London’s Spanish community out in force, he was greeted as a national hero by the 3,000-strong crowd. One of the most distinctive and richly expressive virtuoso guitarists of all time Paco de Lucia will be sorely missed by his legions of fans – Jazzwise sends our deepest sympathies to his family and friends.
– Mike Flynn