Dolores Agujetas

The family De Los Santos Agujetas was of vital importance for flamenco in the area of Jerez, throughout the 20th century. Agujetas 'El Viejo' was the crucial figure in the first half of the century, while his son, Manuel dominated the second half. His raw, almost archaic style was much more than the expression of duende; it was also a life style. He was not prone to compromise; the distance to the regular flamenco circuit of his time was thus considerable. The family had a reputation for being proud, difficult, hard and rebellious. Dolores de los Santos Agujetas (°1960) is in every respect the daughter of her father. Her flamenco too is archaic, primitive and a living example of the flamenco-gitano-values of Andalusia. Her concerts are energetic, pure and reflections of a hard life. She continues in the family tradition, a tradition, which places individuality and personal experience of the flamenco first. Her singing is radical and extremely vociferous, carnal and physical.