José Mercé

José Mercé (born José Soto Soto in 1955) is a Spanish flamenco singer. As a 12-year-old he performed at flamenco festivals. Later he moved to Madrid where he recorded his first album in 1968.[1]

José Mercé
José Mercé
Background information
Birth nameJosé Soto Soto
Born (1955-04-19) 19 April 1955
Barrio de Santiago, Jerez de la Frontera, Andalusia, Spain
GenresFlamenco
Occupation(s)Singer, composer, guitarist
InstrumentsGuitar
Years active1967–present
Associated actsMario Maya, El Güito, Carmen Mora, Antonio Gades, Enrique De Melchor, Tomatito, Vicente Amigo and Moraito
Websitejosemerce.es

Family

He is the great-grandson of nineteenth-century seguiriya maestro Francisco Valencia, whose nickname was Paco la Luz.

He is also the nephew of Manuel Soto Sordera, the patriarch of Jerez flamenco. Mercé's nickname comes from his participation in the choir of the Basilica de la Merced when he was a boy.[2]

Production

The youthful Mercé became one of the most sought-after singers for accompanying dance, and he has worked with the Trío Madrid, formed by Mario Maya, El Güito and Carmen Mora. From 1973 to 1983 he joined the company of Antonio Gades, with which he travelled half-way around half the world and took part in the film Bodas de Sangre, by Carlos Saura.

He has also worked with guitarists Enrique De Melchor, Tomatito, Vicente Amigo and Moraito.

Discography
  • Bandera de Andalucía (1968)
  • Desnudando el Alma (1994)
  • Del Amanecer… (1998)
  • Caminos reales del cante (1999)
  • Aire (2000)
  • Cuerpo y Alma (2001)
  • Recopilación. Verde junco y otros éxitos (2002)
  • Lío (2002)
  • Quebrando el Aire (2002)
  • Verde junco & Hondas Raices (2004)
  • Ruido (2010)
  • Mi única llave (2012)
  • Doy La Cara (2016)
Contributing artist

Awards
  • In 1986 he won the Córdoba National Competition (Concurso Nacional de Arte Flamenco de Córdoba).
  • In 2010 he received the Medalla de Andalucía for his merits as a flamenco singer.[3]
  • In 2013 José Mercé's album Mi única llave was nominated for the Grammy Latinos in the category "Best Flamenco Album".[3]

References
  1. de:José Mercé
  2. Sevilla, Diario de. ""Se puede innovar si no se desvirtúan los cantes"". diariodejerez.es.
  3. "Biografía | José Merce" Archived 28 February 2014 at the Wayback Machine. www.josemerce.es.
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