Cortés, Joaquín

(1969- )

   Cordoba, Spain. Dancer and choreographer. His passion for dance was inspired by his uncle, Cristobel Reyes, who performed flamenco in local bars and persuaded his nephew to study ballet. His grandfather was the flamenco singer Antonio Reyes. Cortés joined the Spanish National Ballet at 15 and soon became the principal dancer but left five years later to pursue a solo career. In 1992 he established his own company-the Joaquin Cortés Flamenco Ballet-and began to develop his individual style. Combining ballet and flamenco, he caused an instant sensation in the Spanish national press but was also criticized for diluting Gypsy culture. He has appeared in two major films: The Flower of My Secret and Flamenco. His first show as producer and choreographer was Cibayi, followed by Pasión Gitana, which went on a world tour during 1995-1997. Cortés insists that his style is in fact a combination of "precision and passion, symbolizing the pride of a marginalized tribe, and that just as the younger generation of Gypsies is now adapting to white culture and wants to be absorbed, so Gypsy culture is adapting too." In 2005 he toured with his latest show Mi soledad [My Loneliness],