Joaquín Grilo

Biography

He was born in Jerez de la Frontera on July 20, 1968 and started to dance with Cristóbal el Jerezano, Fernando Belmonte and Paco del Río, and became the first dancer of Ballet Albarizuela. In 1986 he got a special distinction at the Concurso Nacional de Córdoba contest and shortly after that he performed in London and Switzerland, the prelude of his success in Spanish TV program 'Gente Joven' in 1987. The jury of this TV contest was made up popular El Güito, Luisillo, Sara Lezana, Blanca del Rey and the director of the Spanish national Ballet, José Antonio. After being awarded with that prize he took part in the Concurso Nacional at Cordoba´s Gran Teatro theatre in 1989, where he won the first prize. In 1990 he went to Madrid to work in Compañía Teatro Ballet Español Parallel to that, he occasionally worked in the companies of Lola Flores and La Tati. In 1992 he started to perform single and shared stage with renowned flamenco dancers such as Antonio Canales, Cristóbal Reyes, Joaquín Cortés and Adrián Galia, among others. Shortly after that, popular Paco de Lucía asked him to become part of his septet, and he has been part of it until Lucìa´s last tour. His last work, entitled 'De noche', is a must in recent flamenco festivals.