Pepe Habichuela, flamenco guitar legend and Gran Cruz recipient, dies at 82
The Granada-born guitarist, a pivotal figure in contemporary flamenco and member of a storied gitano dynasty, had been away from the stage since the summer of 2024 because of a long illness.
A life in flamenco
Born in Granada in 1944, José Antonio Carmona Carmona, known as Pepe Habichuela, was a central figure in flamenco guitar. He moved to Madrid in 1964 at the invitation of his brother Juan Habichuela, performing in tablaos and sharing stages with Juanito Valderrama, Camarón de la Isla, and Enrique Morente. With Morente, in a partnership Granada's press calls fundamental to the history of flamenco, he recorded "Homenaje a D. Antonio Chacón", which won the Premio Nacional de Discografía. His discography includes "A Mandeli" (1983), "Habichuela en rama" (1997), "Yerbagüena" with The Bollywood Strings (2001), and "Hands" with jazz bassist Dave Holland (2010). From 2014 he appeared annually at Pamplona's Flamenco On Fire festival, returning in 2020 with Kiki Morente.
A flamenco dynasty
Habichuela belonged to a gitano dynasty that began with his grandfather "Habichuela el Viejo" and continued through his father José Carmona and brothers Juan (1933–2016), Carlos, and Luis. His son José Miguel Carmona "Josemi" (born 1971) co-founded the fusion group Ketama with cousins Juan José Carmona "El Camborio" and Antonio Carmona, sons of Juan Habichuela. The family's influence spans generations of flamenco performance.
- Born José Antonio Carmona Carmona in Granada
- Moves to Madrid, begins performing in tablaos
- Releases Homenaje a D. Antonio Chacón with Enrique Morente, winner of the Premio Nacional de Discografía
- Releases A Mandeli
- Releases Habichuela en rama
- Releases Yerbagüena with The Bollywood Strings
- Releases Hands with jazz bassist Dave Holland
- First annual appearance at Flamenco On Fire festival in Pamplona
- Receives Medalla de Oro al Mérito en las Bellas Artes
- Awarded Gran Cruz de la Orden Civil de Alfonso X el Sabio
- Dies in Madrid at age 82
Official reactions
President Pedro Sánchez wrote on social media that Habichuela's guitar may be silent but his music will endure.
Su música seguirá sonando allí donde el flamenco siga contando quiénes somos.
He thanked him for "una vida entregada al arte y por engrandecer nuestro patrimonio cultural." Granada mayor Marifrán Carazo recalled presenting the biography "Now or Never" with him in April 2026 and bid farewell "desde el cariño, recuerdo y admiración." Andalusia's culture councillor Patricia del Pozo called him "un guitarrista irrepetible y una leyenda del arte jondo, que revolucionó el flamenco contemporáneo junto a Enrique Morente, y puntal de una saga flamenca que sigue muy viva." Councillor Rocío Díaz said he was "un maestro de la guitarra que llevó el nombre de nuestra tierra con orgullo y con un arte imposible de olvidar." Cantaor Arcángel also expressed condolences.
Awards and legacy
In 2018 Habichuela received the Medalla de Oro al Mérito en las Bellas Artes. In February 2026 the Council of Ministers awarded him the Gran Cruz de la Orden Civil de Alfonso X el Sabio, describing him as "una de las figuras más influyentes de la guitarra flamenca contemporánea." He also held the Premio de Cultura Gitana a la Música. His playing, rooted in tradition yet open to innovation, helped renew flamenco and project it internationally. He championed gitano culture and mentored younger artists like Marina Heredia, Estrella Morente, and Rocío Márquez.
