Tomatito

José Fernández Torres was born in 1958, in Almería, into a family of flamencos: his grandfather, father and uncle were all well-known flamenco guitarists. And since his grandfather was known as "Miguel Tomate," and his father was known as "Tomate," by the time young José picked up a guitar, it was foreordained that he would be known as "Tomatito" ("little tomato).

Like most flamencos, Tomatito got his start early, playing in the tablaos (flamenco clubs) of Málaga. It was here that he was discovered by the great guitarist Paco de Lucia, who referred him to his old collaborator, legendary singer Camarón de la Isla. When el Camarón heard Tomatito play he didn't hesitate to invite the 20 year-old into the studio with him. The result was 1979's groundbreaking La leyenda del tiempo -- a rock-infused flamenco classic that remains astounding to this day. The creative partnership between Tomatito and El Camarón would endure until Camarón's untimely death in 1992.

But Tomatito would prove to be more than just a mere sideman, and subsequent recordings mark him as a consummate artist in his own right. Over the years he's released a string of classic flamenco puro albums side by side with more experimental, nuevo flamenco material. He's also ventured into pop territory with a series of high-profile collaborations that include everyone from Neneh Cherry to Frank Sinatra. In 2005 he took how a Latin GRAMMY award for Best Flamenco Record for his album Aguadulce. – Tom Pryor