Antonio Higuero
Who is Antonio Higuero?
Antonio Higuero Pazos was born in 1969 in Jerez de la Frontera. A payo raised in the San Miguel quarter, one of the city’s historic flamenco strongholds, he began his formal training at twelve at the academy of Manuel Lozano “El Carbonero” and José Luis Balao, and took his first artistic steps in the youth flamenco troupe España-Jerez, directed by maestro Manuel Morao.
Career
His first performances were as a soloist in cultural halls and flamenco peñas, but he soon found his true calling in accompanying singers and dance troupes, a field in which he has worked alongside artists such as Nano de Jerez, Rancapino, La Macanita, El Mono de Jerez and Juan Moneo. He currently accompanies Fernando Terremoto, Ezequiel Benítez and Antonio Reyes, whom he has backed in two Córdoba National Awards, one of the most prestigious honors in cante.
Style and discography
His playing draws on a wide range of references, spanning from the classic figures of Jerez accompaniment, such as Melchor de Marchena, Niño Ricardo, Parrilla de Jerez and Manuel Morao, to more contemporary figures like Vicente Amigo, Paco de Lucía, Manolo Sanlúcar, Gerardo Núñez and Moraíto Chico, a mix of tradition and modernity that defines his way of playing.
Legacy
That career as an accompanist has taken him to perform at festivals, peñas and theaters throughout Spain, as well as abroad, with appearances in France, Belgium, the Netherlands, Mexico, Great Britain and Germany, establishing him as one of the leading accompanying guitarists of today’s Jerez school.