Camarón: Biography

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Birth Name:

Josi Monge Cruz

Genres:

World & International Music, Flamenco Music

Talented Spanish troubadour Camarsn (born Josi Monge Cruz), aka El Camarsn de la Isla, started singing at the age of eight, moving from his native Cadiz to Madrid when he was a teenager. While performing flamenco at a small local venue, Camarsn met experienced singer Antonio Arenas and musician Antonio Sanchez and he soon recorded for the first time. In 1969, El Camarsn de la Isla made his debut album, called Al Verte Las Flores Lloran, playing along with guitarist Paco de Lucma. That record was followed by 1970's Cada Vez Que Nos Miramos and 1971's Son Tus Ojos Dos Estrellas. Camarsn's international breakthrough came with the release of a contemporary flamenco album called La Leyenda Del Tiempo, produced in 1979 by Ricardo Pachsn, and later had the opportunity to open for jazz fusion acts Weather Report, Stanley Clarke, and guitarist Jeff Beck. Josi Monge Cruz passed away in 1992 at the age of 41, leaving behind an impressive collection of Spanish traditional music.

- Drago Bonacich, All Music Guide