Thank you, Gabriel

This weekend, the master of flamenco guitar Gabriel Cabrera has prematurely left the scene. Belonging to that lineage of artists on the brink of extinction, who have drunk from all sources and are seasoned from playing night after night from one venue to another, Gabriel's case is exceptional because he lived 24 hours a day as a true flamenco, free from ties, yet at the same time possessing great discipline that allowed him to develop a highly valuable educational guitar classroom over the last 30 years in Málaga, both artistically and humanly. And all this seasoned with a great sense of humor and humility. An artist in essence, free from frills and posturing, outside trends and fashions, with a deep mastery in the accompaniment of all flamenco guitar styles, being a true reference in the performance of the most native styles of Málaga, such as Malagueñas, Jabegotes, Tangos del Piyayo, Verdiales...

Gabriel Cabrera, on the guitar. / Málaga County Council

He was my teacher during two stages of my life, always with that humor so characteristic of his homeland, Alcalá de los Gazules. It was a pleasure to have a one-hour class with him at the Peña Juan Breva and then spend three hours with him at the legendary Puff de Mariblanca, or at any bar counter, talking about flamenco and life. He was a free spirit who enveloped you with a sense of humor that captivated and brightened a monotonous day.

At 62, his enormous heart stopped. I hope Málaga will pay a fitting tribute to one of its salmon from the Guadalmedina, those who swim upstream, those who don’t appear in the media, to an ARTIST in capital letters who left his blood on the six nylon strings, never losing his smile.

It always happens to me, when one of those who brightened our lives passes away, I cry more than ever... but then I store them in my heart, because they are immortal.