Melchor Jiménez Torres, also known as "Melchor de Mairena"; born in Marchena, Sevilla, in 1907 and died in Madrid on 1980.
His father was "El Lico" an excelent "tocaor", his mother Josefina was a well known "cantaora". His brothers were "El Bizco" guitarist and cantaor and "Chico Melchor" guitarist, his aunt was "La Gilita de Marchena".
He made his debut in Sevilla during private parties, accompanying the greatest artist of the thirties, among them "La Niña de los Peines" and his brother "Tomás Pavón". After the Civil War of the 40s he worked for the Doña Concha Piquer company and then for "Manolo Caracol", he travelled all around Spain and America.
First guitarist of the tablao "Los Canasteros" til the seventies. "Tocaor" for "Manolo Caracol" and "Antonio Mairena". Both of them considered him a deep player and a perfect companion. He also accompanied José Menese. He excelled in seguiriyas, bulerias, tarantos, soleares and all the Eastenr style.
The "Cátedra de Flamencologia de Jerez" awarded him with the Premio Nacional de Guitarra Flamenca in 1966.
He was a wise man, and always had the right note, always summoned by the masters cantaores. Maybe the best tocaor of all times, he developped a sublime style.
He recorded with a lot of cantaores, like Tomas Pavon, Niña de los Peines, Juan Talega, Antonio Mairena, Manolo Caracol, José Menese, Fernanda and Bernarda de Utrera, Pepe el Culata or Pericon de Cadiz. Even if he died in Madrid, where he was living, his grave is in his native city of Marchena.
