The photographic exhibition “Guitarristas de La Isla” showcases 29 guitarists from San Fernando through the lens of Juan Antonio Sánchez Bernal.
From November 21 to January 14, the exhibition will be installed on the first floor of the Centro de Interpretación Camarón de la Isla — affectionately known as the Museum of Camarón. You can visit the exhibition, and we also encourage you to explore the wonderful Museum of Camarón de la Isla.
In today’s flamenco scene of La Isla, if anything stands out it is its guitarists. One of the main drivers of this talent is guitarist and luthier Rafael Romero, who represents the link between the old and new guitar traditions in our city, and has become a benchmark in teaching this blessed instrument. Over time, through his dedication and craftsmanship, he has helped foster a new generation of guitarists who place La Isla at the epicenter of flamenco guitar. Many of these guitarists accompany today’s top artists — among them, Jesús Guerrero, who plays with Miguel Poveda; Manuel Urbina, with Niña Pastori; or El Pelu, now guitarist for El Barrio, as previously was Juani de La Isla. One of the guitarists, Adriano Lozano, composed the current theme for ALL FLAMENCO.
The day of flamenco was the ideal occasion to inaugurate the proposal “Guitarristas de La Isla,” a photographic exhibition without precedent, presenting twenty-nine island‑born guitarists from different eras in diverse settings around the city — among them, the workshop of Rafael Romero and the Galería de Arte Era stand out. The photographs are by the shutter of Juan A. Bernal, who managed with his lens to capture magical moments that are now part of our flamenco history.
Below is a brief reference for each of the 29 guitarists featured in the exhibition “Guitarristas de La Isla”:
Rafael Romero
Considered a pioneer of the new guitar school of La Isla. His masters were Chano de las Flores and Rafael Escudier. He began playing at age 12 and soon began accompanying singing and dance. He was guitarist for the dance academies of Concha Baras and Pepa Peña. He started teaching, giving classes to the guitarists Víctor Rosa, Juan Manuel Fernández and Juani de La Isla, who would go on to train the next generation of guitarists. In 1985 he began building guitars, becoming over time one of the most valued luthiers today.
Ramón de La Isla
The most noteworthy guitarist of his era, he began guitar playing under Rafael Escudier and Capinetti. A regular at the Tertulia Flamenca, he accompanied — among others — Chato de La Isla, Perro de Paterna, Aguilar de Vejer and even Camarón. He was one of the first guitarists from the island to travel abroad and to appear on television programs, where he accompanied El Niño del Parque and Paquito de La Isla. He recorded two albums, one with Perro de Paterna and another with Aguilar de Vejer.
Víctor Rosa
He was the first student of Rafael Romero to become a professional. He accompanied Sara Baras at her beginnings and Niña Pastori. Regular as the official guitarist at singing contests. Over his long professional career he has worked with India Martínez, David DeMaría, Marifé de Triana, Manzanita, Antonio Canales, Vanesa Martín, and many more.
Adriano Lozano
At age 12 he began lessons with Ramón de La Isla and, years later, received technical advice from Manolo Sanlúcar. At 15 he debuted at the Tertulia Flamenca as the official guitarist for the competition’s ten national singing contests. Since then, his collaborations with artists like Niña Pastori, José Mercé, Antonio Lizana, Pasión Vega, Javier Ruibal, among others, have been countless.
Juan Manuel Fernández
One of the first pupils of Rafael Romero. He continued his training with José Luis Balao in Jerez and with José A. Rodríguez in Córdoba. At 15 he made his professional debut. After accompanying countless artists, he released his first work Guerrero. He combines his artistic activity with teaching at his own school “Guitarra Flamenca de Cádiz.”
Juani de La Isla
Student of Rafael Romero, he continued his formation with Manolo de Sanlúcar and passed through Morón de la Frontera. Son of the singer Aguilar de Vejer, from whom he learned everything about the canto world. He has worked with Chato de La Isla, José Mercé, Juan Villar, Sara Baras and many others. For many years he was guitarist and musical director of El Barrio. Currently, he lives and works in the U.S., where he is admired and respected as one of the greats.
Gabino Pérez
Student of Ramón de La Isla, he completed his formation in Jerez with Manuel Lozano “El Carbonero.” He played in the dance academies of Concha Baras and Carmen y Pepa Peña, being among the first guitarists to accompany Sara Baras and Niña Pastori. He even shared the stage with Camarón.
Manolo García
One of the fundamental pillars of flamenco guitar teaching in La Isla. He has taught generations, including Manuel Urbina, Daniel Ramírez, Dani Bommatti, Paco Fontao, Javi Martín and many more young talents from La Isla.
Jesús Guerrero
Student of Víctor Rosa, he completed his training in Jerez. From a very young age he stood out as a guitarist. In Seville he worked in tablaos and soon his name gained prominence. He has worked with Miguel Poveda, Niña Pastori, Marina Heredia, Carmen Linares, Farruquito and Eva La Yerbabuena. In 2016 he recorded his first solo work Calma, and in 2025, together with Alba Carmona, Ofrenda.
Nico Cotariella
Guitarist from the neighborhood of Las Callejuelas, he began playing with José Baizán “El Lagarto” and José Armario “Lete”. In the neighborhood’s güichis he started accompanying Paquito de La Isla, El Niño del Parque and Pijote. In flamenco dance, he has collaborated since the beginning with the academies Marisma and Cumbre Flamenca. Founding partner of the Peña del Chato de La Isla.
Jaime de La Isla
Took some classes with Juani de La Isla. He began in the city’s rociero choirs and soon began collaborating with the dance academy of Lucía Moreno and Carmen Peña. He participated in the show Paquiro by Javier Marín, making the jump to international level. He has accompanied singers and dancers countless times. Regular guitarist of the company of David Nieto and indispensable collaborator in tablaos such as Flamenco de la Cava and La Cueva.
Manuel Lucas
Student of Rafael Romero. At 15 he began to accompany dance classes in academies. He was one of the founders of “Maíta vende cá.” As a studio musician he has worked on records of Chano Lobato, Pastora Soler, Alejandro Sanz, Raphael and David Bisbal, among others. With his wife, dancer Milagros Ventura, they conduct courses on a national and international level.
Pelu Monje
Nephew of Camarón de la Isla, he grew up listening to flamenco daily. Student of Rafael Romero, he began playing guitar at age 12. He accompanied dance at the Concha Baras Academy. He has accompanied singers like Juan Villar, Rancapino, Rancapino Chico, Diego el Cigala, Niña Pastori and more recently El Barrio.
Manuel Urbina
He learned to play guitar from his father. He began his training with Manolo García and Juani de La Isla. A child prodigy of the guitar, he very soon made the jump to the professional level. He worked with Antonio Rey and from there with some of the greatest artists. Currently, he is guitarist for Niña Pastori.
Faluki de La Isla
His first teacher was his father, Faluco. Later he studied with Juan Manuel Fernández, with whom he began in the world of show business and has not stopped working with musicians and artists of the level of La Barbería del Sur, El Barrio, Cherokee, Canelita, Alonso Rancapino, Antonio Reyes, María Carrasco, Jesús Castilla, El Capullo de Jerez, Pepe de Lucía, La Susi, Diego del Morao, Vicente Amigo, among others. Currently he forms an artistic duo with Toñi Romero.
David Cuevas
Student of Manuel Jero “Jerito,” El Carbonero and Balao. He has oriented his musical career toward composition, working with publishing houses such as Warner, Sony or Universal. He has composed for Andy y Lucas and María Carrasco. Currently, he lives and works in Dubai.
Antonio Carrillo
He started with David Cuevas and oriented his career as a music producer and sound engineer. He has his own recording studio where he has worked with Yerai Blanco, Mesalla, Javier Belizón and Antoñito Molina, among others.
Javi de Carmen
Student of Rafael Romero since age 8. He obtained his professional degree at the Conservatory. Today he combines live performance, teaching and session musician work.
Manuel Bommatti
He began his musical training at a very young age under professor Luis Páez. He later approached the world of jazz, thanks to guitarist Nono García, and completed professional studies of classical guitar at the Conservatorio Manuel de Falla, with the great professor Mercedes Rodríguez Carmona. Currently, he continues his training under professor Félix Santos.
Daniel Bommatti
A versatile artist who combines guitar playing with singing, composing and performing. His training began under his father and guitarist Manolo García. He continued with Román Vicenti, Roberto Sabater, Luis Balaguer and Miguel Aragón, among others, and was later awarded a scholarship at the Cristina Heeren Foundation. In his career, he had the privilege of accompanying artists like Alejandro Sanz (at the Latin Grammys gala).
Daniel Ramírez
He started playing guitar at age 13 under Manolo García and later with Juan Manuel Fernández. Currently he is studying at the Superior Conservatory of Music of Córdoba “Rafael Orozco.” In 2017 he joined the flamenco company of the Jerez dancer Antonio El Pipa, performing in numerous theaters around the world.
Javi Martín
He began with Manolo García, who prepared him for enrollment in the conservatory, where he obtained his professional title in flamenco guitar. He has performed as a soloist, accompanying flamenco singing and dancing, carrying out national and international tours.
Tito Lara
Alberto Lara Márquez. He began studying guitar at age 8 at the conservatory. He completed professional degrees in classical guitar and flamenco guitar. Some of his flamenco guitar teachers were El Balao, Luis Balaguer or José Gálvez. He has released two records: Noctámbulo (recorded in 2019 with his flamenco‑jazz quintet) and Gea, his second album published in 2024.
Jesús Lebrero “Urri”
Self‑taught, he began playing guitar very young in tablaos and peñas, accompanying prominent singers — among them the great Rocío Jurado in Chipiona.
Juan Carlos Valverde
Also known as “Carlos el Policía,” due to his profession. He began at age 10 with Manolo Varga and Ramón de La Isla. With his colleague Salvador Lucas, he resumed lessons with Rafael Romero. Honorary member of the Peña del Chato, he stands out for accompanying countless island singers — notably the sadly missed Rafael Vargas.
Paco Fontao
He started under the guidance of his grandfather. He continued with Manolo García, with whom he spent eight years completing his training. In Jerez he studied with Paco Cepero, Diego Amaya and Niño Jero. He has worked with Maíta vende cá, María Montilla, Canelita, La Húngara, Antonio Cortés, María Montilla and many others.
José Manuel Clavaín
He began with Manuel Jero “Jerito,” with Juani de La Isla and Jesús “El Guardia” in Jerez, taking courses for dance accompaniment with the latter. He has worked with the academies Solera (Marisa Sainz), Marisma (Sonia and Pepa Peña) and Embrujo Flamenco (Lucía Moreno). He has shared the stage with Jesús Castilla, Susana Romero, Joaquín de Sola, Carmen La Shica, etc.
Javi Mota
Guitarist from Chiclana, though strongly linked to the flamenco of La Isla. He began with Juani de La Isla, continuing his training in Chiclana and Jerez. He has been the official guitarist for Peña Camarón de La Isla, Peña Flamenca Chiclanera and Peña el Chato de La Isla.
Carlos Cano
He started playing guitar at 16 with his father Nono Cano, and also with Juan Manuel Fernández. From the age of 20 he began playing with flamenco‑fusion groups. He does not work as a professional guitarist, but it is his daily passion.
And the photographer — the creator behind the lens: Juan Antonio Sánchez Bernal
Born in Cádiz 35 years ago, he developed a serious interest in cinema at 17 years old, which led him to study Audiovisual Communication at the University of Sevilla. At that time, photography was secondary to him — a complement for mastering audiovisual language.
After finishing his studies, he tried to make his way in the audiovisual world, working on several short films and a few feature films as camera operator, editor, assistant director, among others. In 2015 he had his first experience in press photography, covering the vacation period of the Diario de Cádiz photographer in San Fernando. This assignment awakened interest in a branch of photography that until then had not caught his attention: Flamenco Photography.
In recent years he consolidated his presence in press photography — working between 2021 and 2023 for the City Council of San Fernando and contributing several pieces for the Diario de Cádiz. In parallel, he combined this work with camera‑operator assignments for television, in programs like España Directo, broadcasts of 1ª RFEF matches, races at the Circuito de Jerez, among others.
Since 2023, he serves as the official photographer and videographer for the City Council of San Fernando.
From November 21 to January 14
Exhibition “Guitarristas de La Isla” by Juan Antonio Sánchez Bernal
Centro de Interpretación Camarón de La Isla – San Fernando (Cádiz)
For more information visit www.flamencodelaisla.es
And on ALL FLAMENCO you can view live performances of these guitarists:
📍 Available in:
🇪🇸 Spain – Local TV operators
🇫🇷🇨🇭 France and Switzerland – Orange (dial 438), SFR, Bouygues, Free and Salt
📺 Amazon Prime Video Channels
💻📱 And of course online: wherever you are, whenever you want
👉 Visit www.allflamenco.net