Paco de Lucía is considered to be one of the most universally famous Flamenco artists; his style has become a school of music amongst the younger generations, his art has made him one of the greatest ambassadors of Spanish culture worldwide, and his masterly touch has graced the major stages of Europe, the USA, Russia, Japan and the Middle East.

Francisco Sánchez Gómez, known as Paco de Lucía, was born in 1947 in Algeciras (Cádiz). He started to play the guitar at the age of seven and as one of the Chiquitos de Algeciras alongside Pepe his brother, he made his first record at just fourteen years of age. In 1963 he toured abroad with José Greco's company, recording his first solo album, La fabulosa guitarra de Paco de Lucía, the following year. However, it was Camarón de la Isla with whom he would form one of the twentieth century's most important duos. The recorded over ten albums together. Paco de Lucía has revolutionized Flamenco guitar playing and accompaniment by bringing novel chords and rhythmic counterpoint to his musical expression. His creative genius and mastery of the instrument has led to Flamenco entering into a dialogue with the classical music of Falla, Rodrigo and Albéniz, with the bossa nova and jazz of Chick Corea and John McLaughlan, and with many others. His "Friday Night in San Francisco" album sold over a million copies, a figure that is undreamt-of for a Flamenco artist. He formed his famous Sextet in 1981, thereby creating the modern-day concept of the Flamenco group.