Biography
Diego El Cigala, born Ramón Jiménez Salazar on December 27, 1968, in Madrid, Spain, is one of the most celebrated flamenco singers of his generation. Raised in the vibrant El Rastro district, he grew up surrounded by flamenco culture, with a family lineage steeped in the tradition—his father, José de Córdoba, was a noted Andalusian singer, and his uncle was the legendary Rafael Farina. El Cigala’s prodigious talent emerged early; by age twelve, he had already won local flamenco competitions and gained recognition on Spanish television.[1][2][3][6][7]
El Cigala began his career accompanying renowned flamenco dancers and collaborating with top guitarists such as Tomatito and Vicente Amigo. In 1997, he launched his solo career with the album 'Undebel,' followed by a series of acclaimed recordings that blended traditional flamenco with Latin jazz, bolero, tango, and son cubano. His groundbreaking 2003 album 'Lágrimas Negras,' a collaboration with Cuban pianist Bebo Valdés, fused flamenco with Cuban rhythms and achieved international acclaim, earning multiple Grammy awards and double platinum sales. El Cigala continued to explore cross-genre collaborations, working with jazz musicians and venturing into tango and salsa, while always maintaining flamenco as the core of his expressive, passionate vocal style.[1][2][3][4][5]
Regarded as a transformative figure in world music, El Cigala’s legacy lies in his ability to honor flamenco’s roots while expanding its boundaries. His voice—raw, emotional, and unmistakably flamenco—has brought the genre to new audiences worldwide. With a career spanning over two decades, multiple Latin Grammy wins, and a reputation for innovative collaborations, Diego El Cigala remains a vital and influential ambassador of Spanish and Latin music.[1][2][3][4][9]
Fun Facts
- His nickname 'El Cigala' means 'Norway lobster' in Spanish, a moniker given to him by a fellow musician for his slender build and expressive hands.[8]
- He won his first flamenco competition at age twelve and appeared on Spanish television as a child prodigy.[1][2][3]
- El Cigala has won multiple Latin Grammy Awards, including for his genre-blending albums that fuse flamenco with Cuban, tango, and salsa music.[4][9]
- He is known for his distinctive, raspy voice and for bringing flamenco to international audiences through cross-genre collaborations.
Musical Connections
Mentors/Influences
- José de Córdoba - father and early musical influence; performed on major flamenco stages in Madrid (n/a (family and live influence)) [1968–1980s]
- Rafael Farina - uncle and legendary Spanish singer; familial and stylistic influence (n/a (family and stylistic influence)) [1968–1980s]
Key Collaborators
- Bebo Valdés - Cuban pianist; co-created the album 'Lágrimas Negras', blending flamenco and Cuban jazz (Lágrimas Negras (2003)) [2002–2003]
- Jerry González - Latin jazz trumpeter; collaborated on 'Corren tiempos de alegría' and 'Piratas del flamenco' (Corren tiempos de alegría (2001), Piratas del flamenco (2002)) [2001–2002]
- Tomatito - flamenco guitarist; frequent studio and live collaborator (Undebel (1997), Picasso en mis ojos (2005)) [1997–2005]
- Vicente Amigo - flamenco guitarist; studio collaborations (various recordings) [late 1990s–2000s]
- Paco de Lucía - legendary flamenco guitarist; contributed to 'Picasso en mis ojos' (Picasso en mis ojos (2005)) [2005]
- Niño Josele - flamenco guitarist; live and studio collaborations (Live at Teatro Real (2002)) [2002]
Artists Influenced
- Rosalía - Spanish singer blending flamenco with pop and urban genres; cites El Cigala as a modern flamenco influence (El Mal Querer (2018)) [2010s–present]
Connection Network
Discography
Albums
| Title | Release Date | Type |
|---|---|---|
| Lágrimas Negras | 2014-04-25 | Album |
| Parte De Mí | 2008-01-01 | Album |
| Cigala Canta a México | 2020-05-29 | Album |
| Dos Lágrimas (Bonus Track Version) | 2008 | Album |
| Blanco y Negro (En Vivo) | 2014-06-01 | Album |
| Indestructible | 2016-10-28 | Album |
| Cigala & Tango (Deluxe Edition) | 2010-08-24 | Album |
| Obras Maestras | 2023-09-01 | Album |
| Picasso En Mis Ojos | 2005-09-07 | Album |
Top Tracks
- Te Quiero Te Quiero (Parte De Mí)
- Pero a tu lado 2020
- Lágrimas Negras (Lágrimas Negras)
- Corazón Loco (Lágrimas Negras)
- Inolvidable (Lágrimas Negras)
- Historia de un amor (Dos Lágrimas (Bonus Track Version))
- Se Me Olvidó Que Te Olvidé (Lágrimas Negras)
- Veinte Años (Lágrimas Negras)
- Si Tú Me Dices Ven (Cigala Canta a México)
- Lagrimas Negras (with Diego "El Cigala") (Gracias A Vosotros)
External Links
Tags: #flamenco-music, #flamenco-pop, #regional-mexicano
References
Heard on WWOZ
Diego El Cigala has been played 2 times on WWOZ 90.7 FM, New Orleans' jazz and heritage station.
| Date | Time | Title | Show | Spotify |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Nov 22, 2025 | 12:08 | Youkalifrom Cigala & Tango | Tiene Sabor (Latin Show)w/ Yolanda Estrada | |
| Nov 22, 2025 | 12:07 | El Dia que me quierasfrom Cigala & Tango | Tiene Sabor (Latin Show)w/ Yolanda Estrada |