Morenito de Íllora

Born in Íllora (Granada) on January 20, 1965, Morenito de Íllora, whose real name is Guillermo Campos Jiménez, has built an outstanding career in the world of flamenco. Raised in a flamenco environment, he was surrounded by great figures of singing, dancing, and guitar playing from an early age. His talent led him to shine on stage from a young age.

At the age of seven, his family emigrated to Barcelona, where he began singing alongside young talents such as “El Duquende” and Mayte Martín. At 10, he started his professional career accompanying the dancer Flora Albaicín. In 1978, at just 13 years old, he made his debut at the prestigious tablao flamenco El Cordobés in Barcelona.

In 1979, his life changed dramatically when he participated in a festival in his hometown, sharing the stage with legends such as Camarón de la Isla, Manuela Carrasco, and Gaspar de Utrera. It was at this event that Camarón mentored him and gave him the artistic name “Morenito de Íllora,” solidifying his flamenco identity.

In the 1980s, he formed the group “Pureza” and began working in various tablaos and festivals. During this decade, he perfected his singing for dance, accompanying renowned artists such as Mariquilla and Joaquín Cortés.

His talent took him to international stages, participating in tours in Brazil, Mexico, and France and working in productions with Mario Maya and Joaquín Cortés. In 1989, he shared the stage with Camarón at the Flamenco Festival of La Línea de la Concepción, a milestone in his career.

In the 1990s, Morenito solidified his recording career with works such as:

• India (1990), produced by Pepe de Lucía.
• Yo quiero volar (1994), with the collaboration of Pedro Sierra and Juana la Tobala.
• A Paco de Lucía (1995), with Tomatito and Paco Fernández.
• Alumbra mi vida (2001).
• Así lo siento (2002), with Daniel Casares and Salvador Andrades.

For more than 15 years, Morenito has accompanied Tomatito on international tours and has worked with top-tier dancers such as Joaquín Cortés and El Pipa. His singing is distinguished by his mastery of rhythm and his ability to evoke deep emotions through styles such as seguiriya, soleá, tangos, and bulerías.

Additionally, he has developed a career as a producer, supporting new flamenco talents such as Canelita and Saray Vargas.

Today, Morenito de Íllora is an undisputed flamenco icon, an artist with a legacy that continues to grow, bringing the essence of cante jondo to stages around the world.