José Mercé, whose real name is José Soto Soto, was born on April 19, 1955 in the neighborhood of Santiago de Jerez de la Frontera, Cádiz, in the bosom of a gypsy family with a great flamenco tradition. He is the great-grandson of the legendary singer Paco de la Luz and nephew of Manuel Soto “Deafness”, patriarch of Jerez's flamenco. His stage name comes from his time at the Escolanía of the Basilica of La Merced in his hometown.
Since childhood, Mercé showed exceptional talent for flamenco singing, making his debut at the Jerez Flamenco Thursdays and at the tablao La Cueva del Pájaro Azul. At the age of 13, he moved to Madrid, where he recorded his first album and began performing in the emblematic tablao Torres Bermejas.. Soon he joined Antonio Gades's company, participating in international tours and in the film Blood Wedding (1981) by Carlos Saura. He also collaborated with the National Ballet of Spain and won the Córdoba National Flamenco Art Competition in 1986..
Throughout his career, José Mercé has released 19 albums, maintaining the pure essence of flamenco and merging it with other genres and versions of artists such as Manu Chao, Luis Eduardo Aute, Víctor Jara, Louis Armstrong and Joan Manuel Serrat. His rise to popularity came in 1998 with the album Del Amanecer, produced by Vicente Amigo, which was followed by hits such as Aire (2000), Lío (2002) and Noise (2010), becoming one of the most influential and recognized flamenco artists of recent decades.
Mercé has received numerous awards, including the Ondas Award, the Andalusian Medal, the Compás del Cante and the Odeón Award for Best Flamenco Artist. In addition, he has sold more than a million records and is a regular judge on television programs such as “Land of Talent” and “The Senior Voice”.
Recognized for his deep voice, his capacity to thrill and his work to bring flamenco closer to all audiences, José Mercé is considered a key figure for the continuity and renewal of Jondo art in Spain and in the world
