Paco del Gastor. De otra cuerda – Ramón Soler Díaz (Libro)

El guitarrista Francisco Gómez Amaya (Morón de la Frontera, 1944) es hoy el máximo exponente de lo que muchos conocen como «toque de Morón». Paco del Gastor ha desarrollado de manera genial el inconfundible toque de su tío Diego del Gastor al armonizar una música aparentemente sencilla pero de gran profundidad, hasta alcanzar una personalidad propia. Este libro está escrito a partir de una serie de conversaciones que Ramón Soler ha mantenido con el maestro de Morón en las que desgrana todos sus recuerdos desde sus inicios, de la mano de su tío y mentor Diego Amaya Flores, hasta sus últimos pasos como profesor de guitarra en el Conservatorio de Música de Morón de la Frontera. La doble faceta como tocaor solista y de acompañamiento (Bambino, Juan Talega, Mairena, Fernanda y Bernarda, Paquera de Jerez, el Funi, Gaspar de Utrera, Chano Lobato, José el de la Tomasa, el Cabrero…), y su amistad con maestros como Niño Ricardo, Sabicas, Marote y Paco de Lucía salen a relucir en Paco del Gastor, de otra cuerda, libro que cuenta con numerosas fotografías y que se completa con glosas sobre su figura por parte de amigos y compañeros y con la discografía de este tocaor gitano.

Ramón Soler Díaz (Málaga, 1966) es licenciado en Matemáticas y profesor de esta materia. En el ámbito del flamenco tiene publicado varios libros, dos de ellos en colaboración con su tío Luis Soler Guevara (Antonio Mairena en el mundo de la siguiriya y la soleá, 1992; Los cantes de Antonio Mairena: comentarios a su obra discográfica, 2004). Otro libro en solitario está dedicado también al maestro de los Alcores: Cuatro estudios sobre Antonio Mairena (2012). En 2003 publicó la biografía Antonio el Chaqueta, pasión por el cante, y en 2011 Lírica acuática. Coplas sobre el agua en la poesía tradicional y el flamenco. Con Paco Roji y Paco Fernández escribió La Repompa de Málaga (2012), y a medias con Roji La Cañeta de Málaga, José Salazar y La Pirula (2013) y Ángel de Álora, lo dulce que yo cantaba (2018). Ha escrito la parte correspondiente a los cantes en los tres libros de la Colección Carlos Martín Ballester: Don Antonio Chacón (2017), Manuel Torres (2018) y Tomás Pavón (2019). Soler ha publicado decenas de artículos en revistas especializadas, ha leído conferencias, producido discos y ha dirigido montajes teatrales sobre música flamenca.

***
Paco del Gastor. De otra cuerda – Ramón Soler Díaz (Libro)
Libro: https://www.elflamencovive.com/english/paco-del-gastor-de-otra-cuerda-ramon-soler-diaz-libro.html

***

Antonio Mairena y Paco del Gastor.

Paco del Gastor is one of the most outstanding descendants of Diego del Gastor, and he was the first member of the Gastor dynasty to leave Moron de la Frontera, heading to Madrid to make a name for himself as a professional musician. He was born in Morón in 1944 and his father Francisco, who was the brother of Diego del Gastor, was a guitarist of some worth, although not professional.He received much of his teaching from his uncle Diego, but like many young guitarists of his time, he was also inspired by Niño Ricardo.

His apprenticeship as an accompanist for the cante and baile began at the many juergas that were held in the flamenco institution in Moron de la Frontera, which was run by the American flamencologist Don Pohren. It was during this period in the early seventies that he had a chance to accompany many big name singers such as Antonio Mairena, Juan Talega, and La Fernanda de Utrera.

He went to Madrid were he was hired to perform at the tablao El Duende, and shortly after moved on to Torres Bermejas. After this he joined the company of the singer Bambino, where he spent more than twenty years.

Manolito de Maria con Paco del Gastor.

Paco del Gastor combined his work with this cantaor from Utrera, with touring work alongside the likes of the dancer Mariquilla, La Fernanda and Bernarda de Utrera, Miguel el Funi, and Chano Lobato, with who he appeared on the excellent CD Aroma. On this recording his style of playing is very similar to the great Diego del Gastor. He was also the guitarist for the controversial singer El Cabrero, for more than twelve years.

He currently teaches the flamenco guitar in the Casa de Cultura in Morón de la Frontera, which was opened with funds contributed by the Fundación Fernando Villalón.

Paco has had the perfect schooling; performing with most of the great cantaors of his time and the fact that his late uncle supervised his early lessons, make him one of today’s outstanding flamenco guitarists.

Tags American flamencologist Don Pohren, and Chano Lobato, Casa de Cultura in Morón de la Frontera, Fundación Fernando Villalón, La Fernanda and Bernarda de Utrera, Miguel el Funi, Morón de la Frontera, Paco del Gastor, tablao El Duende