A genius in innovation, the Cádiz-born cantaor was considered an ambassador of cante jondo
José Cortés Jiménez, Pansequito, died on Friday at the age of 78 in Seville from the effects of a brain tumor. This artist was ahead of his time and took flamenco all over the world, making him considered an ambassador of the cante jondo.
Born on January 8, 1945 in La Linea de la Concepcion (Cadiz). He lived his childhood in Seville and from an early age breathed the flamenco atmosphere, which increased when the family moved to Puerto de Santamaria. Already measured in the art of the cante, José Cortés took the stage name Pansequito and debuted in 1963 on a tablado in Málaga.
His ability soon became the center of attention and Manolo Caracol, whom he idolized, signed him as a member of his group for the show he offered at the Los Caseros tablao in Madrid. From that moment on, Pansequito’s career was unstoppable. Together with dancer Antonio Gades he toured as a singer through several European countries.
His innovative art was awarded the prize for creativity at the 1974 National Flamenco Competition in Córdoba. In addition to being a composer, he adapted flamenco classics and created a school of which singers such as Antonio Reyes, Rancapino Hijo or Israel Fernández stand out.
In his 60 years on stage, Pansequito shared tables with other mythical cante jondo artists such as Camarón, Lebrijano, Enrique Morente or La Paquera de Jerez or guitarists such as Pepe Habichuela, Enrique de Melchor or Tomatito.
In these six decades he has recorded 32 albums. In 2001 he was named adoptive son of Puerto de Santamaria. In addition to the prize of the National Competition, José Cortés received the Giraldillo prizes of the Bienal de Sevilla, the Nacional of the Cátedra de Flamencología de Jerez
He married the Sevillian flamenco singer and dancer Aurora Vargas Vargas, with whom he had three children, and shared the stage several times.
Source: La Verdad
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