Keni “El Lebrijano” has been involved in the art of flamenco for over 50 years. He began his flamenco studies, in the mid-1960’s, in San Francisco with Bay Area guitarists Marcos Carmona and David Serva. In 1973, he went to Spain where he studied with guitarists Pedro Bacán, Pedro Peña, Diego del Gastor, and Mario Escudero. In the 1990’s he studied fiesta style dance in Seville with “El Farruco” and Miguel Funi.

In Andalucia, he performed, professionally, in a variety of venues with artists that

included Angelita Vargas, La Cañeta de Malaga, Anzonini del Puerto, José Salazar and El Boquerón. In 1990, he was invited to Seville to perform in the VI Bienal de arte Flamenco, Spain’s most prestigious flamenco festival.

In addition to having worked professionally in Spain in tablaos (clubs), ferias and private fiestas, Keni also played in numerous family fiestas where he accompanied many of Spain’s finest gypsy artists including La Fernanda and La Bernarda de Utrera, Curro Malena, El Chocolate, El Sordera, Luis and Enrique Zambo, Curro Malena, Miguel Funi, Lola Flores, Manuel de Paula and Pepa de Utrera, Perico Pañero and Tomatito. In the United States, he has worked extensively, both as soloist and accompanist, and worked with Manuel Agujetas, Anzonini del Puerto, Manuel Malena and Agustin Rios, Juan del Gastor, David Serva, Pepe Torres, Javier Heredia, Miguel Funi, Pastora Galván, Jose Mendez, Jose Galván, Antonio de Jerez, Rosa Montoya, Cruz Luna, La Tania, Yaelisa, Lakshimi, Los Flamencos de la Bodega, and Theater Flamenco.

Locally (in the SF Bay Area), Keni has worked as soloist in fine dining establishments that include Chez Panisse, Manresa and Oliveto restaurants. Keni has been featured in two movies, Les Blank’s “Garlic is as Good as Ten Mothers” and David Webb Peoples’ “Blood of Heroes.” He has lectured and performed at UCLA and the University of Washington and taught at College of Marin, De Anza College and for the Flamenco Society of San Jose. Though not authorized or posted by Keni, there are several YouTube videos available of Keni playing.

Keni is best known for his unique, individual style and his skill in accompanying

traditional gypsy singing. He is well respected, in the US as well as within Spain’s

Andaluz gypsy culture, for his ability to play true gypsy-style flamenco with integrity.