|
Born in Seville in 1966, Daniel Navarro Cruz alias “Niño de Pura„ displayed a keen interest in flamenco and its emblematic instrument, the guitar, from a tender age.
In 1975, he began studying guitar with Manuel Lozano and Manolo Carmona.
At the age of 12, he moved to Sanlúcar de Barrameda (Cadix) to study with the great master Manolo Sanlucar, who bequeathed him with his refined technique and taught him to feel and to love his instrument with greater intensity.
In the Eighties, he garnered all of the major flamenca guitar prizes in Spain: in 1984, the 1st prize of the Young Interpreters of Flamenca Guitar at the Seville Flamenco Art Biennale, the 1st national prize of the Jerez de la Frontera Flamencology Chair, and the prize of the Festival Nacional del Cante de las Minas de La Unión (Murcia). IN 1985, he was awarded the “Zippa de Oro„ prize in Colombia.
In 1986, he recorded his first album, “Capricho de Bohemias„, and in 1987, he won the 1st Badajoz International Prize. At the end of the Eighties, he alternated his studies with concernts all throughout Spain and became Don Juan Valderrama's official guitarist. At this time, he performed for all Spanish television channels and toured Japan with the “Estrellas de La Bienal„ show. In 1990, he was awarded the “Giraldillo del Toque„ prize at the Seville Flamenco Art Biennale.
Between 1992 and 1997, he recorded a number of important albums with prominent flamenco figures. He also recorded two solo albums, “Caliente„ and “Maquida„. These two records represent a startling - and acknowledged - evolution in the contemporary conception of flamenca guitar.
Currently, El Niño de Pura records his own albums while producing music for major flamenco artists. Amongst others, he has composed and produced Aurora Vargas' “Acero Frio„. He also composed “El Perro Andaluz„, a piece for the Compañia Andaluza de Danza, “Sansueña„ for José Joaquín's company, and together with Manolo Franco, he presented the show “Compadres„ at one of the last Seville Flamenco Biennales. The same year, he taught a class which was acclaimed by the press and his pupils alike.
Today, he continues to produce albums for various artists, such as Mariela, Maria de la Colina, Coro de Almonte, and many others. He is the appointed accompanist of Pansequito and Aurora Vargas.
His flamboyant career places him at the very front of the flamenca guitar stage, in the field of composition as well as in that of concert and accompaniment.
|
