Pepe Habichuela, a key figure in flamenco guitar, has died in Madrid at 82. His career spanned over five decades and shaped the evolution of Spanish music. The news marks the end of an era for flamenco.
Pepe Habichuela, one of the most influential flamenco guitarists of the past half-century, has died in Madrid at the age of 82. His death follows a period of illness that had kept him away from the stage since the summer of 2024. The loss is deeply felt in both Madrid, where he lived, and his native Granada, as the flamenco world mourns a musician whose technical and creative innovations left a lasting mark on Spanish music.
Habichuela, born José Antonio Carmona Carmona in Granada in 1944, was the third generation of a renowned family of guitarists. His early years were shaped by the vibrant scene of the Sacromonte caves, where he developed a powerful style to be heard above the rhythms of dance and song. In 1964, he moved to Madrid, joining his brother Juan and quickly establishing himself in the capital's tablaos. He soon became a sought-after collaborator, recording with leading flamenco singers such as Juanito Valderrama, Fosforito, and Fernanda y Bernarda de Utrera, amassing over fifty collaborations in just a few years.
A pivotal moment in his career came through his partnership with fellow Granadan Enrique Morente. Their joint albums, Homenaje a Don Antonio Chacón and Despegando, both released in 1977, broke new ground in flamenco by crediting both artists equally and introducing bold musical departures from prevailing trends. Despite his early success as an accompanist, Habichuela waited until 1983 to release his first solo album, A Mandeli, under the Nuevos Medios label. This work, and subsequent albums like Habichuela en rama and Yerbagüena, produced with his son Josemi Carmona, showcased his evolving approach to the guitar while remaining rooted in flamenco tradition.
Throughout his career, Habichuela was recognized for his ability to innovate without losing the essence of flamenco. He collaborated with international musicians, including Don Cherry and Dave Holland, and performed with jazz drummer Max Roach. His openness to new influences never compromised his commitment to the core of flamenco, a balance he described as playing with freedom while always sounding true to the genre. In 2018, he was awarded the Medalla al Mérito en las Bellas Artes, and in 2024, he received the Gran Cruz de la Orden Civil de Alfonso X El Sabio, reflecting his status as a cultural icon.
His final public appearances in 2024 included tributes at the Noches del Botánico in Madrid, the Festival Flamenco On Fire in Pamplona, and the Castillete de Oro at the Festival de La Unión. These events highlighted the respect and affection he earned over a lifetime dedicated to his art. His family, including his wife Amparo Bengala and son Josemi Carmona, played a central role in his creative journey, often collaborating with him on stage and in the studio.
Flamenco remains a defining element of Spanish cultural identity, and the passing of figures like Habichuela underscores the importance of preserving and evolving this tradition. His influence can be seen in the work of younger generations, including the group Ketama, which features his son and nephews. For context, the impact of sudden losses in Spanish cultural life has been noted in other recent events, such as the death of a 73-year-old man at a municipal pool in Catalonia, which also drew widespread attention and reflection on the legacy of those who shape their communities.
Pepe Habichuela's legacy is not only in his recordings and performances but also in the way he bridged tradition and innovation. His approach to the guitar, his collaborations across genres, and his role as a mentor have ensured that his influence will continue to resonate in Spanish music. The recognition he received in his final years, both from institutions and the public, affirms his place among the greats of flamenco history.
