There are not likely many people in Europe — or elsewhere — who represent the flamenco sound as authentically and joyfully as Rafael Cortés.
Born in southern Spain and raised in Germany, Cortés has been playing the guitar for longer than he can even remember. He became enamoured by the virtuosic playing of Paco de Lucía, which opened his eyes and ears to what flamenco music could be.
“I realized there was another way of doing this, with totally different chords and scales,” Cortés says. “The curiosity this aroused has been with me ever since.”
Last year, Cortés released his latest album Asi lo Siento, and he’s currently working on an exciting project to come soon.
The guitarist recently joined Café Latino for a conversation about his life and his music.