About
MIGUEL PÉREZ ORTEGA, Cantaor payo, better known in the artistic world with his own name of MIGUEL ORTEGA, was born in Los Palacios y Villafranca (Seville) on July 28 of the year 1975. His artistic career begins at the age of four in the flamenco rock "Juan Breva" of Malaga, thanks to Paco Cabrera de la Aurora. He begins singing at the school and fairs around him, being at age nine when he participates for the first time in the flamenco festival in the town of Camas (Seville), then in the festival of the Forge of Bellavista (Seville). From there continues a long journey through different flamenco festivals.
He debuted the four, with fandanguitos in the Juan Breva rock of Malaga, and since then he has been a secondary highly valued by dance and guitar stars, like Vicente Amigo, in whose group he continues to act. Despite having won awards at many festivals, he is not considered a professional of the contests, a frequent figure in this world. "I don't believe in competitions at all. Art is not like a race, which wins first. In flamenco there are different opinions and ways of understanding singing." In this sense, he makes a surprising confession: "I do not normally do the mining as I did, I give it a more personal air, but I know that here a certain type of mining is appreciated and that is what you have to sing to win." Miguel is aware that "many Lamp winners have stayed on the road". "I will continue my career fulfilling the commitments I already had"; for example, a tour of Mexico with Vicente Amigo or a show for the Seville Biennial with Pepa Gamboa, Arcángel and José Antonio. And he gives another reason as proof that he is not a professional of the contest: "I do not go to them for money, when I win in one and they invite me to return, I do not do it anymore, although I could win again, because I do not feel honored ". Despite being highly valued by great professionals such as María Pagés or José Antonio and others who have had him on shows and tours, it is of surprising simplicity and modesty in a world that is not characterized by that attitude. "I have gone to the competitions to get to know me, I can't come to believe that I am the best because they can break my face." In 1999 and in 2000 he already won some awards at La Unión. Then he had not returned. He is faithful to the old masters, although he knows that innovation and fusion triumph today. Three months ago he published an album whose name says it all: Looking back, in which he remembers the song of Mairena, Vallejo, Pavón or La Niña de los Peines, among other ancient masters. And he wants to continue his career with tranquility and humility, without losing his mind: "For me it is an honor to win the most important flamenco competition in the world and the best known, but it is also an honor that people like Vicente Amigo count on me".