A Passionate Performer
Antonio Rey is regarded by flamenco aficionados as among the one or two premier flamenco guitar virtuosos performing today. He is beloved by audiences all over the world perhaps as much for his natural charisma and charm as for his prodigious musicality. His dazzling speed, comprehensive yet effortless flamenco vocabulary and soulful compositions combine to make for an unforgettable musical experience!
Antonio Rey Navas, one of a handful of flamenco guitarists known by their birth names, was born in 1981 in Madrid to a family of artists. His musical career began at the age of 10 in Mexico where he lived with his father, Tony Rey, several years during his youth. At age 15 he made his first tour of Japan with the renowned Japanese bailaora Yoko Komatsubara. Three years later his career in Spain was launched when he was invited by the highly acclaimed flamenco dancer, Antonio Canales, to join his company.
In 2003 and only 22 years old, Antonio won the 1st Guitar Prize at the prestigious La Union Mines Festival in Murcia, Spain. He went on that year to garner the Bordon Minero trophy followed by 1st Prize at the L’Hospitalet Contest Llobregat in Barcelona. In 2007 he was engaged as Musical Director for the live album “Olala!” by actress Victoria Abril and accompanied flamenco dancers Farruquito, Farruco, Juan de Juan, La Farruca and Manuela Carrasco and singers Rafael de Utrera and La Tana. That same year he began to present on different stages around the world his work “A Traves de Ti.” This was followed with three additional solo CDs and tours.
Antonio Rey is also an acclaimed flamenco composer. His commissions include the show “Gallo de Pelea” for the New Spanish Ballet. He has performed and recorded with many other flamenco artists including his close friend and fellow virtuoso, Vicente Amigo. He regularly accompanies the first figures of Spanish dance such as Antonio Canales, Juaquin Cortes, Juan de Juan, Rafael Amargo and Andres Marin among others.
In 2018, Antonio launched his latest CD and tour titled “Two Parts of Me.”
Antonio Rey has received the following awards and prizes
BORDÓN MINERO TROPHY 2003
XLIII FESTIVAL INTERNACIONAL DEL CANTE DE LAS MINAS, LA UNION
NATIONAL FLAMENCO GUITAR AWARD
XIX Concurso Nacional de Arte Flamenco de Córdoba
FLAMENCO GUITAR PRIZE 2004
Certamen Nacional de Guitarra Flamenca de L´Hospitalet de Llobregat
FLAMENCO GUITAR PRIZE 2006
Peña Los Cernícalos, Jerez de la Frontera
SONANTA TROPHY 2008
III “NIÑO RICARDO” INTERNATIONAL GUITAR COMPETITION, MURCI
GUITAR SOLOIST CONCERT AWARD
IX BIENAL DE ARTE FLAMENCO DE SEVILLA
GIRALDILLO GUITAR AWARD 2014
BIENAL DE ARTE FLAMENCO DE SEVILLA