Departures of note

José Antonio Carmona Carmona, known professionally as Pepe Habichuela, was born in Granada in October 1944 into a renowned Romani flamenco dynasty. He began his career in the 1960s, moving to Madrid in 1964 where he performed in tablaos and accompanied celebrated singers such as Juanito Valderrama, Camarón de la Isla and Enrique Morente. His 1975 album honoring Antonio Chacón earned the National Discography Prize, cementing his reputation as a master of the flamenco guitar.

Throughout his long career, Habichuela collaborated with a wide range of artists, explored fusion projects such as the Bollywood Strings collaboration, and helped shape the new‑flamenco group Ketama through his son José Miguel Carmona. He received numerous honors, including the Gold Medal for Fine Arts (2018) and the Grand Cross of the Civil Order of Alfonso X the Wise (2026). His influence extended beyond performance to mentorship of younger generations of flamenco musicians.

Pepe Habichuela died in Madrid at the age of 82 in 2026, leaving a legacy as one of the most respected and innovative figures in contemporary flamenco music.