MARUJA GARRIDO

Premier

The 1960s. American sailors used to listen to jazz in a basement at Plaça Reial in Barcelona. In the same building, just above, surrealist genius Salvador Dalí’s most ethnic muse held court for over two decades. Dalí adored Maruja Garrido, like everyone who witnessed her art.

However, it’s a long time since she last graced the stage. She retired ages ago but, to the surprise of friends and strangers, in recent years it is as if something had got into her blood. And so, at impromptu dinner parties or commemorative visits to TV studios, she once again gives free rein to her singing. Is she as good as before? She’s even better. Yes, incredible as it may seem. Her throaty voice continues to part the seas, her presence triggers real earthquakes.

Maruja Garrido transforms rumba into a force of nature. With a flamenco essence, as befits her birthright: her father, El Niño de Levante, accompanied Carmen Amaya herself on voice.

Maruja Garrido was born in Caravaca de la Cruz. From there, in Murcia, she moved to Barcelona’s Raval district. First she sang with her sister Pepa in the duo Cartageneras, name chosen by Juanito Valderrama. Then alone. Queen and mistress of the flamenco club Los Tarantos. Above the Jamboree jazz club. In the heart of Plaça Reial.

Rumba has never again been so closely linked to surrealism, for if Maruja had an unconditional fan, it was Dalí. With him she starred in the 1970s in one of the most daring video clips of all time. And he it was who presented her to the French crème de la crème, in her prolonged stay at the Olympia in Paris.

Rather than a return to artistic activity, Rumba surreal is a special night when we will be able to see Maruja Garrido on stage once again. An allegory created and directed by Luis Troquel, featuring a flamenco group led by the guitar of Chicuelo and a rumba group with Peret Reyes at the helm. In the dance role, avoiding any clichés, the magic of Fuensanta ‘La Moneta’. And the list of guest artists does not end there.

Maruja Garrido, flamenco singing
Fuensanta ‘La Moneta’, dance
Juan Gómez ‘Chicuelo’, guitar
Peret Reyes, guitar
Joaquín Gómez ‘El Duende’, flamenco singing
Abraham López, guitar
Isaac Vigueras, percussion, clapping and choruses
Jack Tarradellas, percussion, clapping and choruses
Luis Cantarote, clapping and choruses
Toni Reyes, bass, clapping and choruses
Jony Cortés, clapping

With the participation of:

Pepa Garrido, flamenco singing
José de la Vega, castanets
Rosalía Vila, voice
Music direction Juan Gómez ‘Chicuelo’
Artistic direction and script Luis Troquel

See more