But did you know that the virtuosity of his playing is intimately linked to his Flamenca Blanca de Ramírez? In this article, we will explore the history of this guitar genius and his iconic relationship with a guitar that, like him, is part of the history of flamenco.
Niño Miguel: An incomparable genius
Miguel Vega de la Cruz, better known as Niño Miguel, was born in Huelva in 1952 and died in 2013. Son of Miguel el Tomate, he is considered one of the great interpreters of flamenco and grew up surrounded by flamenco music. As a child, his innate ability to play was astonishing. However, his true talent exploded in the 1970s, when he began to be recognised as one of the great interpreters of flamenco. In 1973, Niño Miguel won the prize of honour at the ‘Concurso Nacional de Guitarra de la Peña Los Cernícalos de Jerez’, which catapulted him to fame. Despite the difficulties that marked his life and career, Niño Miguel became a legendary figure, capable of thrilling with his playing.
Niño Miguel’s white flamenco guitar
The history of Niño Miguel is closely linked to his white flamenco guitar from Guitarras Ramírez, an instrument that accompanied him in many of his most memorable performances. White flamenco guitars, built with light woods such as cypress, offer a bright, crisp sound, ideal for flamenco. Ramirez Guitars have always been renowned for their quality and precision, and have always been a reference in the manufacture of flamenco and classical guitars. It is not surprising that Niño Miguel chose one of their guitars to accompany him on his musical journey, with the flamenco sound that characterises them.
An unmistakable sound
El Niño Miguel’s playing was a breath of fresh air in the guitar of the seventies, and was praised by Paco de Lucía, a discharge of energy and rage that marked a new form of flamenco expression, mainly on the rhythmic side, and influenced players such as Tomatito with Camarón in La leyenda del tiempo (1979), or the Amador brothers with Kiko Veneno. Unfortunately, he died early, although he left us a legacy that greatly enriched flamenco guitar.
The legacy of Niño Miguel
Despite the inconsistency of his career, Niño Miguel left a legacy that lives on. His playing revolutionised flamenco in the seventies and his influence can be felt in later generations of guitarists. His guitar Flamenca Blanca, hand in hand with Ramírez, was witness to many of those performances that left audiences speechless. If you want to know more about the genius of Niño Miguel and delight yourself with his virtuosity, we invite you to watch this video where he plays his Flamenca Blanca guitar by Guitarras Ramírez: Watch video here. Niño Miguel and his Flamenco guitar Blanca Ramírez are part of the living history of flamenco.
