1)  Living in the heart of Southern Spain you probably grew up with Flamenco music and dance all around you. What inspired you to become a musician? Did you always know you were going to be a musician, or did you ever have other plans?

If you are born with music in you, you will follow your inclination wherever you are. In Cordoba , when I was a kid, flamenco was all around me. I just followed the inevitable call.

However, I did not trust that I could become good; I just liked it and I did what I wanted. Total dedication came later with the fascination of constant discoveries in this beautiful musical world.

2)  Can you tell us a little about the roots of Flamenco music and dance?

A great many peoples and cultures have arrived in Andalucia and settled there throughout the course of history, particularly from the Mediterranean area. A rich mixture of Eastern and Western elements has developed there and has produced a unique, strong musical culture that is the basis for the art-form that is flamenco.

3)  Who are some of your biggest musical influences?

In flamenco there are three guitarists that stand out; three huge pillars form whom most guitarists have learnt most things, during my generation anyway. They certainly have been my main teachers, and they are Niño Ricardo, Ramón Montoya and Sabicas. Of course, I have been privileged to be around with many other musicians form other disciplines, really too many to mention. The combination has really shaped my taste in music and my direction.

4)  How did you feel about your role as representative of Spanish music and culture when you first started touring internationally?

I never consciously assumed a role of representing Spanish music. I simply am Spanish and whatever I produce will, I think, have that mark. I always did, and still do, what I like doing and what is and was important and meaningful for my soul. And I did that by displaying my art, if you will, in an honest way, representing my tradition. The fact that it has been accepted with respect around the world makes it really rewarding and a wonderful bonus.

5)  What inspired you to combine flamenco music and dance with musical theatre?

It is a natural progression from being totally immersed in the world of flamenco. It is such a rich artistic culture that it still has much undiscovered potential – and I want to discover some of it!!

6)  How has your success in the world shaped your choices as an artist?

It allows me to present to the world some of my search, some of my discoveries about what I do (as I said earlier) and knowing that I will certainly please at least some audiences, and will be received with respect on account of my reputation.

7)  As an internationally known musician, you have probably had the opportunity to work with a diversity of musicians. Can you tell us about some of your most memorable collaborations?

One that stands out and is particularly endearing is my performing with Victoria de los Angeles , who very sadly passed away a few weeks ago. The great classical guitarist John Williams, the wonderful Joe Pass, Eduardo Falú, Inti Illimani, Leo Kottke, and the great composer Stephen Dodgson. All great human beings.

8)  It says in your biography that you have “further plans to marry flamenco with the forms and forces of classical music”. Can you tell us more about these exciting plans?

I have just completed a Requiem Flamenco which I made into a Requiem for the Earth. It is a flamenco piece but uses a choir as well as a children’s choir. Apart from following the tradition of Requiem text, I want to comment with this piece about the fragile nature of our existence, about the devastation of the planet Earth, and yet to point out that there is time for Mankind to learn from past mistakes and take action to protect it.