Parrilla de Jerez
Who is Parrilla de Jerez?
Manuel Fernández Molina, known artistically as Parrilla de Jerez, was born on September 21, 1945 on Calle Campana in Jerez de la Frontera, into one of the most storied families in the singing and playing tradition of Jerez: son of Manuel Fernández Moreno, “Tío Parrilla,” grandson of Juanichi el Manijero, brother of the dancer Ana Parrilla and the guitarist Juan Parrilla, and related to the Frijones lineage. He began studying guitar at twelve with his own father and with Rafael del Águila, within the Jerez school that would shape his entire style of playing, and by just thirteen he was already devoted professionally to the instrument.
Career
He made his debut at the Seville Fair in 1959 and, from there, built a career tied above all to accompaniment: he was La Paquera de Jerez’s guitarist for three decades and played for figures such as Tío Borrico, Terremoto, Sordera, Antonio Mairena, Manuel Agujetas, Enrique Morente, Chocolate and Lola Flores. He worked at leading tablaos such as the Cueva del Pájaro Azul in Cádiz, and Los Canasteros and El Duende in Madrid, and in 1985 toured South America. He is remembered especially for his way of closing out the bulería, the celebrated “vueltecita” that bore his signature, as well as for composing processional marches and helping to revive the Christmas folklore of Jerez.
Style and discography
As a soloist he released “Antología de las bulerías” (1975), “Capricho de Bohemias” (1986), “Jondura” (1996) and “Nostalgia” (1999), albums that reflect a deep style closely tied to the traditional forms of Jerez, conceived above all to serve the cante rather than for personal display.
Legacy
His work was recognized with the Premio Nacional de Guitarra from the Cátedra de Flamencología de Jerez in 1973, first prize at the 1st Concurso Nacional de Guitarra Flamenca de Extremadura in 1987, the Giraldillo at the Seville Biennial in 1990, and the Colombian Zipa de Oro in 1985. He died in Jerez on June 6, 2009, at the age of 64, leaving a deep mark on the Jerez school as one of its most faithful and respected accompanists.