Carmen

Carmen Amaya Amaya

Barcelona , 2 November 1918
Begur , 18 November 1963

Performer

Dancer and flamenco Singer

Daughter of the flamenco guitarist José Amaya "El Chino". she was born in Somorrostro neighbourhood in Barcelona. She learn the art of "baile" in her family circle and debuted accompanying her father when she was six years of age. In 1929, she performed at the International Fair of Barcelona and achieved great success. She danced next to singers such as Raquel Meller and Carlos Montoya. She also appeared in movies such as Los Tarantos (1963) by F. Rovira Beleta.

She was part of the Amaya Trio together with her father and brothers, with whom she toured around Europe, the USA (1942-1947 and in 1955 at Carnegie Hall), and Hispanic America, and gained great success. His thorough knowledge of Spanish classical dance, in addition to flamenco, made critics proclaim her one of the greatest figures of her time.

She was known for her energy and frantic zapateado rhythm and for the virtuosism she showed in garrotin, bulerías, tanguillos and alegrías.