Updated January 10, 2005.
Duende is what makes the distinction between a flamenco dancer and a flamenco master and artist. It goes beyond obtaining a mastery of technical dancing skills or emotional outpouring. It's an indescribable "je ne sais quois". I believe I was in the presence of greatness- of a true artist the day I saw "Pasion Gitana". My flamenco teacher has implied that she doesn't care for Joaquin's style because it's very commercialized. But I know that were it not for Joaquin, I wouldn't know what flamenco is. I saw him perform in Gijon 10 years ago and have been hooked ever since.
Several years ago, while I was staying in Spain, I had
the opportunity to see Joaquín and his touring company
perform "Pasion Gitana" (Gypsy Pasion) in 1995 in Gijon. It was a passionate
and sensual fusion of flamenco, ballet and modern dance.
The performance was stunning and I have been obsessed ever since. In the span
of his short career Joaquin has taken Spain by storm.
Many other European countries have been swept up in the obsession as well, particularly England.
Joaquín Cortés rarely makes appearances in the U.S. and got press more frequently for his romance with Naomi Campbell, rather than his talent.
I hope that he will return to the US soon, and woo me once again. If you ever have the opportunity to see him perform, DO SO!!! It's well worth your time. He is currently on a world tour that does not include the US (grr...) Still holding out hope.
If you would like to check him out, he performed a hot dance number (with his character's mother, of all things) in an interesting movie by Pedro Almodovar called "La flor de mi secreto" (The flower of my secret.) It is an accessible spanish movie with subtitles which can be rented at most video stores (ie- Blockbuster or Netflix.com.) CHECK IT OUT! There are also some things of his for sale at Flamenco-world.com.
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