Fernando Rodríguez
Who is Fernando Rodríguez?
Fernando Rodríguez Delgado was born on 20 July 1959 in La Puebla de Cazalla, Seville, a town with a strong flamenco tradition that is also home to the cantaor Diego Clavel. A payo who performs under his own name, from childhood he showed more of an inclination toward singing than toward instrumental showmanship, a calling that would define his entire later career as a guitarist.
Career
He began his professional career in 1988 alongside his fellow townsman Diego Clavel, with whom he recorded his first album that same year, “Mi sentir,” featuring the participation of fellow guitarist Pedro Bacán. From there he defined himself as a strictly accompanying tocaor, more interested in serving the cante than in solo prominence, a calling that also led him to work with José Menese and Juan Peña “El Lebrijano,” with whom he toured internationally accompanied by the Orquesta Andalusí in 2000.
Throughout his career he has taken part in twelve recordings as an accompanying guitarist, in addition to appearing on numerous radio and television programs.
Style and discography
His playing, always shaped in service of the cante, has specialized in genres such as soleares, and his discography, although built almost entirely as an accompanist, reflects a career devoted entirely to serving the singers he has worked with.
Legacy
His career has been recognized with honors such as the 10th Polvorón Flamenco of Estepa (1998), gold insignias from the peñas of Melilla, Pruna and Osuna, and the Madroño Flamenco for playing in 2005. He also founded a singing school where, between 2002 and 2004, he trained several students who would go on to win the Lámpara Minera, and has combined teaching the guitar with illustrated lectures and introductory flamenco courses.