Ramon Montoya (Paperback)

High Quality Content by WIKIPEDIA articles! Ramon Montoya (November 2, 1880, Madrid, Spain - June 20, 1949, Madrid, Spain), Flamenco guitarist and composer. Born into a family of Gitano (Romani) cattle traders, Ramon Montoya used earnings from working in the trade to buy his first guitar. He began playing in the cafes de cante before he was twenty years of age. He formed a partnership with the great flamenco cantaor (singer) Antonio Chacon that starting in 1912 lasted more than a decade. Both participated in the Concurso de Cante Jondo of 1922 held in Granada. These two were largely responsible for establishing the form of the various traditional flamenco cantes that are recognized today. In traditional flamenco, the guitar was relegated to a supporting role. Cante (singing) and baile (dance) were the main performers whom the guitarist supported. Montoya was one of the first to challenge this role. His strong playing often overpowered the singer whom he accompanied.