Yerai Cortés (Alicante, 1995) is one of the major talents of the new generation of flamenco guitarists. His style draws from the classical gitano tradition that he inherited from his father, his first teacher. At a very young age he already shared the stage with renowned singers such as Rancapino, Guadiana, Pitingo, and La Tana. For many years he has been seducing dance legend Juan Fernández Montoya ‘Farruquito’ with his enchanting playing.

Yerai Cortés also likes to cross over into other musical worlds. For example, he has shared the stage with saxophonist Jorge Pardo, and with singer/bassist Richard Bona from Cameroon, who provided a great source of inspiration for him. With his personal ‘soniquete’ (swing) he makes the guitar tradition, ‘el toque’, at once contemporary and timeless. Yerai Cortés is preparing his first solo album. At this Flamenco Biënnale he will give a preview of the album, accompanied by two female clappers.

After the concert, there will be a jam session with  iFuákata! – a jazz-flamenco band of five Spanish musicians based in Amsterdam: Álvaro Rey (trumpet), Mikel Legasa (piano), Felipe Aguilera (bass), Lucas Trabado (percussion) and Manuel Vega (percussion). Trumpeter Antonio Moreno Glazkov, who led the jam after the Juanfe Pérez Quartet’s concert in December, plays along as a special guest.

Yerai Cortés guitar/compositions
María Reyes, Salome Ramírez palmas