José
Manuel Montoya was born in Madrid in 1962. He began playing
flamenco guitar at the age of 9, (although he had heard this
kind of music since he was born), at the age of 11 he enrolled
in the Royal Conservatory of Music where he studied for two
years, and later continued studying classical music with private
tutors. At the age of 12 he began performing in public and
studied flamenco guitar with Juan Alba (a friend of the family)
and Julio Vallejo, (a student
of Paco de Lucía’s).
Between
the ages of 16 to 20, he underwent his apprenticeship accompanying
flamenco singers in various local flamenco clubs (Fosforito,
José Meneses, Chaquetón, Los Cabales,
etc.) and also accompanying flamenco dance at the schools
of Faico and Amor de Dios.
IN
1977 he participated in the II classical guitar Competition
of the Villa de Coslada where he obtained a Special Mention
diploma from the jury.
Between
1982 and 1985 he began his solo career as concert flamenco
guitarist, taking part in the televised competition “Gente
Joven” (Young People) where he reached the third place
in the instrumentalists section.
He continued his concert schedule in various theatres in Madrid,
and Castilla La Mancha and completed a tour of Europe with
performances in Finland, Sweden and Denmark. During this period
he began teaching guitar in several Casas de Andalucia, and
in private tuition.
Between
the years 1985 and 1987 he was a member of the group “Los
Tarantos” working in the flamenco venues Triana
and Faralaes (Madrid) and La Trocha (Seville).
In
1988 he toured America with Lola Flores
and was once again a member of “Los Tarantos”
Between
the years 1990 and 1992 he formed the group known as “Media
Luna” and composed a series of themes recorded for the
RTVE (Radio Television Española) record label, and
performed in concerts throughout Spain.
In
1992 the group “Media Luna”
were invited to participate in “LaTruhana”, the
musical by Antonio Gala, sharing the stage with Concha Velasco,
the dancers Manuel and Antonio Reyes and with choreography
by the prestigious José Antonio.
During this time he began working with the concert flamenco
guitarist Victor Monje “Serranito”
undertaking a world tour between 1993 and 1997.
In 1994 he accompanied the ballet of Yolanda Gaviño
during a five-month residence at the Calderón Theatre,
Madrid
He also undertook a tour of Spain as accompanist to Isabel
Pantoja.
In
2002 He began teaching at three music schools (El Capricho,
Federico Chueca and Nicolás Salmerón) where
he introduced the flamenco guitar for the first time and where
he continues teaching using a method he has devised himself,
combining this activity with his concert programme.
