Juan Diego Mateos Reina, (Jerez de la Frontera, Cádiz, 1969). Guitarrist

Learning toque jerezano from native maestros such as El Carbonero and José Luis Balao, Juan Diego delved into the study of flamenco guitar scarcely at the age of ten. He completed his training with Manolo Sanlúcar and, in the branch of harmony, with Luis Balaguer. Enrolled in the Albarizuela Children's Ballet, he went on his first international tour. He would thus begin a solid career in dance accompaniment which he would develop after moving to Madrid around 1989.

Juan Diego then joined the Rafael Aguilar Company, performing ‘Carmen’.
Later on, he worked with Luisillo in ‘Luna de sangre’, whose music he wrote; and then joined the Joaquín Cortés Company, coinciding with the premiere of ‘Cibayí’. He has also composed dance scores for Antonio el Pipa -‘Herencia gitana’- and for Antonio Vargas -‘La casa de Bernarda Alba’-. Moreover, he has accompanied bailaores such as Joaquín Grilo, Juana Amaya, Merche Esmeralda and Antonio Canales, among others. As a studio guitarist, Juan Diego has recorded with Remedios Amaya, Jorge Pardo, Sorderita, Pepe de Lucía..., accompanying many of them live. Heterodox artists such as Tomasito and María Jiménez call on his toque from time to time. Juan Diego launches his first solo album, 'Luminaria', in autumn 2003, with the collaboration of musicians Jorge Pardo, Carles Benavent, Remedios Amaya and Diego Carrasco. The record receives the Flamenco Critics' Award in 2003. The international high-quality audio company Bose has chosen the Jerez-born guitarist and his music as the stars of the demo DVD to be used to promote their new home cinema equipment beginning in summer 2005.

Juan Diego: “Where there's a guitar, I see a window and I want to look out of it”
El País (November 13th, 2003). Interview

“Listening to the nine cuts that make up ‘Luminaria’ provides a beautiful journey along elegance and sensitivity presented in a curious, unhurried tempo”
Diario de Cádiz. Flamenco by Fermín Lobatón

“The star is his guitar, and the music he creates for it, very much indeed tied in to the original cantaor roots”
El País de las Tentaciones. ‘Luminaria’ review

“Juan Diego makes his solo début backed by Remedios Amaya, Jorge Pardo and Diego Carrasco”
Flamenco-world.com (September 2003)

“Juan Diego prefers a line of steadfast guitar serenity and through it he manages to get across his world of sensations”
Diario de Jerez (March 9th, 2005). Jerez Festival critique

“Present, past and future meet up in the light of Juan Diego's guitar”
Alma 100. ‘Luminaria’ review

Presented by Malaga Arts Connection