NEW YORK (KPRENSA) – At the Academy Awards on Febuaty 25th, Penélope Cruz may win recognition as best actress for her work in “Volver”, the film by Spanish director Pedro Almovador. If that happens, the actress will certainly give thanks to Estrella Morente.

In the film, Ms. Cruz plays Raimunda, a woman who is confronted by ghosts from her past. In one of the film’s most important scenes, Raimunda sings a flamenco version of the song “Volver”. At least the face and the interpretation are that of Penélope Cruz, the voice is Estrella Morente.

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Estrella Morente has one of the most brilliant and recognizable voices in contemporary flamenco. Already famous in Spain, she’s now bringing the art of flamenco to new generations in the rest of the world.

On February 3, Ms. Morente performed for the first time in the United States presenting the songs from her latest album “Mujeres”, at Town Hall in New York. That evening, the 26 year old artist interpreted some of the purest styles of the flamenco, like the tarantas, the bulerías or the soleás, but she also made some less traditional and riskier choices, such as the song “Ne remove me pair”, by Jacques Brel, in a reprise of a previous interpretation by Nina Simone.

In discussing her work, Ms. Morente makes it clear that she feels flamenco is sufficiently magnificent and universal to be opened up to other influences. “I am flamenco singer and I like to sing the pure flamenco styles.” she assures “However, if the opportunity is presented to mix flamenco with other styles, I usually don’t think twice.”

Estrella Morente was born in the city of Granada, in Spain, surrounded by flamenco virtuosity. She is a daughter of the great flamenco singer Enrique Morente and flamenco dancer Aurora Carbonell. She is the niece of renowned flamenco singer Antonio Carbonell and guitarist José Carbonell, and granddaughter of the noted guitarist Montoyito.

It is a family that has given her a deep knowledge of the flamenco art and has also permitted her to move with ease from the purest flamenco toward other musical styles. Her father, for example, was one the first flamenco singers that dared to mix his flamenco trained voice with rock or jazz. In fact, Estrella debuted in the years 90′s on a project named “Omega” a CD that her father did with the Spanish rock band Lagartija Nick. Omega is widely considered as a milestone in the fusion of the flamenco with other styles.

“In my house, we are fans of all types of music. I do not understand limitations”, she asserts, without lending credence to the staunch defenders of “pure” flamenco.

Flamenco is an individualistic folk art that developed in the Andalusia region of southern Spain. It is believed that the gypsies that arrived in Andalusia traveled from India and Pakistan, acquiring the name “gitano” (gypsy, in English), the old Spanish word for Egyptians. In addition to Hindu and Jewish influences, the Arabs made perhaps the greatest contribution in molding the form and content of the art into flamenco as it is known today.

There are two main styles in flamenco: the “jondo” – deep and serious, the shout of a gypsy culture oppressed over many centuries – and the “chico” – happy, light and at times funny. In all flamenco styles, the singer plays the central role, since the song is considered the source of inspiration for the guitar and the dance.

In the world of today’s flamenco, there is not a more inspiring singer than Estrella Morente.

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