Some of Flamenco's most beloved compositions, performed by the genre's acknowledged first King. Carlos Montoya, was born on December.

13, 1903, Madrid, Spain to a Gypsy family and from an early age showed a keen interest in music.

He was the first to present Flamenco as serious music to concert audiences. Primarily self-taught, the young Montoya learned by playing for singers and dancers at the cafes cantantes in Madrid, notably for La Teresina and La Argentina.

He later toured with La Argentina as her accompanist. Montoya began to give flamenco guitar recitals in 1948; thereafter he toured frequently throughout the world.

He was the first flamenco guitarist to perform as a soloist with major orchestras, and he appeared often on television.

His playing over the years was an ever-growing process, and it developed dramatically over those years.

On these 1980 recordings there are some titles and favorite falsettos that are reminiscent.

This is not recording of arrangements, this is a flamenco recording, maybe some of his best and beloved works.

He continued to perform regularly on television and solo guitar recitals. He recorded over 40 albums, some traditional flamenco and others with orchestras.

He remained in the USA and died on March 3, 1993, still acknowledged as the finest exponent of the flamenco guitar.

All recordings are unaccompanied, spotlighting Montoya's unparalleled guitar virtuosity, for fans of the Gipsy Kings, Jesse Cook and Rodrigo y Gabriela