Ramón Montoya

Ramón Montoya (November 2, 1879, Madrid, Spain – July 20, 1949, Madrid, Spain), Flamenco guitarist and composer.

Born into a family of Gitano (Romani) cattle traders, Ramón Montoya used earnings from working in the trade to purchase his first guitar. He began playing in the cafés de cante before he was twenty years of age.

He formed a partnership with the great flamenco cantaor (singer) Antonio Chacón that started in 1912 and lasted more than a decade. Both participated in the Concurso de Cante Jondo of 1922 held in Granada. These two were largely responsible for establishing the form of the various traditional flamenco cantes that are recognized today.

In traditional flamenco, the guitar was relegated to a supporting role. Cante (singing) and baile (dance) were the main performers whom the guitarist supported. Montoya was one of the first to challenge this role. His strong playing often overpowered the singer whom he accompanied. He eventually took the next logical step and began to play as a solo or lead performer in a concert setting. His performances are widely credited by flamenco historians as establishing the flamenco guitar in this role.

He was the single most influential flamenco guitarist of the 20th century. His innovations made possible the solo careers of such later greats as Sabicas, Manitas de Plata and Manuel Molina.

He is the uncle of flamenco guitarist Carlos Montoya. His granddaughter, Rosa Montoya, is most known for introducing flamenco dance to most of California with her studio based in San Francisco.

Birth and Death Data: Born November 3, 1879 (Madrid), Died July 20, 1949

Date Range of DAHR Recordings: 1928

Roles Represented in DAHR: composer

= Recordings are available for online listening.
= Recordings were issued from this master. No recordings issued from other masters.

Recordings

Company Matrix No. Size First Recording Date Title Primary Performer Description Role Audio
Gramophone BS2552 10-in. 4/25/1928 La cana Ramón Montoya Guitar solo composer  
Gramophone BS2553 10-in. 4/25/1928 Malaguenas Ramón Montoya Guitar solo composer  
Gramophone BS2556 10-in. 4/25/1928 Guajiras Ramón Montoya Guitar solo composer  
Gramophone BS2561 10-in. 4/25/1928 Alborado Ramón Montoya Guitar solo composer  

Citation

Discography of American Historical Recordings, s.v. "Montoya, Ramón," accessed November 6, 2024, https://adpprod1.library.ucsb.edu/names/332313.

Montoya, Ramón. (2024). In Discography of American Historical Recordings. Retrieved November 6, 2024, from https://adpprod1.library.ucsb.edu/names/332313.

"Montoya, Ramón." Discography of American Historical Recordings. UC Santa Barbara Library, 2024. Web. 6 November 2024.

DAHR Persistent Identifier

URI: https://adpprod1.library.ucsb.edu/names/332313

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