Ramon Montoya

Ramón Montoya Salazar was a Spanish flamenco guitarist and composer born on November 2, 1879, in Madrid. Montoya achieved professional recognition for a musical career characterized by flamenco and for being a fundamental pillar of the flamenco guitar style. He achieved professional recognition for a career that began after he studied the guitar as an autodidact by observing street musicians. Montoya achieved professional recognition for starting his professional career at age 16 at the café cantante known as El Pez and later performing for eight years as the first guitarist at La Marina. He achieved professional recognition for creating the Farruca style with the dancer Faico and for developing the picado technique using upward and downward strokes. His recording career began in 1910 after he signed an exclusive contract with the Gramófono Company. Montoya achieved professional recognition for his historical recordings of Malagueñas with the singer Juan Breva and for collaborating with artists including Antonio Chacón and La Niña de los Peines. He achieved professional recognition for serving as a judge alongside Chacón at the Concurso de Cante Jondo in 1922 and for performing for the Spanish royalty at the Royal Palace of Madrid. His discography included 14 flamenco works recorded in Paris in 1936 for the label BAM. Montoya achieved professional recognition for creating the rondeña as a solo concert piece for the guitar. He died on July 20, 1949, in Madrid.