Diego Ram�n Jim�nez Salazar, known as El Cigala, is a famous Spanish born- Dominican Flamenco singer. As he himself has said, the nickname was given to him by three guitar players, Los Losada, for being very thin, not by Camar�n de la Isla as commonly believed. One of his great albums is 2003's "L�grimas Negras", a cooperation with then 85 year old Cuban pianist Bebo Vald�s. The easy fusion of Cuban rhythms and flamenco vocals made this record an international success. Born into a family of Spanish Gypsy artists and intellectuals in Madrid, El Cigala started singing in flamenco pe�as and tablaos, until his excellent meter and ability to mark the rhythm caught the attention of world-class bailaores like Mario Maya, Fa�co, Farruco, El G�ito, Manuela Carrasco, Crist�bal Reyes, Carmen Cort�s, Joaqu�n Cort�s and he began touring as part of their companies. By the late nineties, having collaborated on recordings by Camar�n, Tomatito, Gerardo N��ez and Vicente Amigo, he was ready to record his own CD. With the success of "Undebel" he launched his career as solo singer. He has now recorded 8 CDs and has won two Grammys and 5 Latin Grammy nominations. 

December 27th, 1968 in Madrid (Age 55)