EL TITI DE ALGECIRAS
FLAMENCO SINGER

Salvador Ramon Flores Loreto Montoya Heredia Cortes Arroyo de Los Reyes known as 'el Titi de Algeciras' was born in Algeciras, Spain in 1942 into a gitano (gypsy) family whose tradition is flamenco. Salvador, at a very early age, experienced the art of bullfighting under the name "el Gitanillo de Algeciras", but gave away this career after being badly gored by a bull.

Singing at a very early age under the name of "Montoyita" and later with his cousins in a group called "Los Montoyas", the young singer learned his art at the side of famous singers such as Antonio Mairena, who would come to fiestas in his family home. Related to the famous gypsy families of Los Montoyas, (nephew of Roque Montoya "Jarrito"), Los Chiquitetes, the Utrera Sisters, the late Cameron de la Isla and growing up with Paco de Lucia as a neighbour, the young Montoyita was offered work in the tablaos such as La Corral del la Morreria in Madrid working with such artists as dancer la Tati, Antonio el Pelau, and guitarist el Habichuela and winning awards for his singing.

He arrived in Australia in 1966 with the flamenco dance company el Sali. and after being offered a contract in Perth stayed working with the gypsy dancer La Tani.

Since then he has been the only authentic flamenco gypsy singer in Australia and in high demand by Australian flamenco artists of the calibre of Antonio Vargas, Diana Reyes and Gabriel Heredia in Sydney and Melbourne. With performances too numerous to list over his many years of performing, one of his highlights was to feature in the spectacular “Carmen” Opera put on by the Victorian State Opera in 1992 in Sydney and Melbourne. This led him to have a 12 month contract with the Melbourne Hyatt Hotel in their Tapas Bar. Other highlights include supporting act with Julio Iglesias and the Gypsy Kings.

His new gypsy world music group Calo' Calo' (Gypsy Gypsy) is making its mark after appearing in WOMADelaide. An exciting, entertaining new world music group, it explores the passionate and intricate rhythms of gypsy flamenco music from the south of Spain. Fusing latin, Arabic, blues and even country and western sounds, Calo’ Calo’ incorporates a variety of instruments including flamenco and electric guitar, flute and percussion. The original songs are created by Titi and released on CD.

Since making its debut at WOMAD 2000 this popular group has made many appearances in venues around Adelaide including La Bomba latin nights and more recently as a featured group in the TROPICANA Festival, part of the 2005 Backyard Festival at the Adelaide Festival Centre.

This multi talented artist has also made his mark as a painter under the name Salvador Loreto.

REVIEW OF BOLERO FLAMENCO

"First it had the splendid El Titi de Algeciras, whose songs did more than accompany the dancing - at times they seemed to provide the reason for it.""?..worth going to just for the singer" Alan Brissenden - Adelaide Review