The cantaor José Mercé has just received the great news: that the Autonomous Government of Andalucía will give him the Gold Medal of Andalucía on February the 18th (Day of Andalucía).
This is an honorary award which is given as an acknowledgement of exceptional or extraordinary merits, acts and services which have been done in peacetime by Andalucian, Spanish or foreign citizens, groups or entities.
José Mercé was born in 1955 in the Santiago district of Jerez de la Frontera (Cádiz). He made his début with 12 years old in his home town and next year he went to Madrid, where he started to accompany bailaores like Mario Maya, Carmen Mora and El Güito.
In 1973, Mercé joined the company of Antonio Gades, with whom he collaborated until 1987. During these times, he consolidated his international shows with various tours on the stages of Europe and America. Also, he participated in the movies "Bodas de sangre" and "Flamencos" of Carlos Saura.
After publishing various records, his career took a turn with the album "Del amanecer", together with the guitarist Vicente Amigo. In this album, he offered a renewed image of the flamenco art, which he kept doing in his next works. The latest one, "Ruido", was presented in September 2009 in los jardines de la Atalaya in Jerez de la Frontera.
As a teacher of young generations, José Mercé has participated in the international courses of the Professorship of Flamencology. His artistic career has been acknowledged with several prizes in events like the Concurso Nacional de Arte Flamenco of Córdoba and the Bienal de Arte Flamenco of Sevilla.
