Diego El Cigala: NPR Music Tiny Desk Concert

Every now and then, if we are extremely lucky, we are witness to a musical game changer. That is the rare musician who single-handedly alters the direction of a genre though the power of musical vision and artistry.
Diego El Cigala is one of those game changers.
While he comes from the world of flamenco, he has deftly expanded his expressive range by applying his unmistakable voice to boleros, Spanish copla, tangos, jazz and various combinations of all of the above.
See and hear for yourself how one musician can create something completely new by drawing on traditions that are centuries old. -- FELIX CONTRERAS
Set List
"Soledad" 0:00
"Vete De Mí" 3:58
"Vida Loca" 7:47
Credits
Producers: Felix Contreras, Maggie Starbard; Audio Engineer: Kevin Wait; Videographers: Susan Hale Thomas, Maggie Starbard; Assistant Producer: Colin Marshall; photo by Colin Marshall/NPR

[@MaikoZafiro]

I'm just going to sit here, stroke my beard, cross and uncross my legs, fix my hair, and casually sing soulfully and beautifully and perfectly like it's nothing while my accompanist plays those keys like a boss. This is just everyday stuff. -- El Cigala

[@JacoboTeijelo]

he also snorted smt before starting

[@MrShbbz]

who could blame him? so many people snort, all but few make such perfect music as this :D

[@xarlijar]

just like the american dream right?

[@madmo453]

He's just sitting by the fire telling stories to enraptured children.

[@Sugarskulls_forever]

Dude you have me dying. I love how simple and amazing it is. He's a boss! Thanks for your comment lol

[@TheBombastico100]

Hombre, que Jaime Calabuch no aparezca en los créditos de NPR es un error grave. Que maravilla de pianista, nada en la canción llegaría tan alto sin él.

[@ChristianMercadoAcevedo]

Es el primero que aparece.

[@YbanBurcl]

11:27

[@josealfredopenapita1150]

@@YbanBurcl creo que se refiere a los créditos de la descripción del video

[@DrVinylBcn]

Gracias por la informacion crack. No conocia al pianista pero es increible.

[@sergioignaciomartinezruiz4301]

Mucha razón, es un pianista increíble con mucho feeling!

[@mariogonzaloespinozamendiz7544]

Jaime Calabuch a tocado lo más profundo de mi alma, ojalá que le den aún mayor crédito.

[@FernandoAntunezGarcia]

😮 9:55

[@yerbabuena2984]

Not to forget! Piano: Jaime Calabuch - tremendo músico!

[@elenavanbc]

thanks for providing the name of the piano player - sure he's great!!

[@salahsnz]

Yeah man I searched for him a lot. I loved him more than the vocal guy

[@renegonzalez658]

Jaime is a monster. There comes a time where a musician of the caliber as Diego, might hit the circuit and make it big but there are other times in which that same high caliber musician happens to hook up with another monster of equal talent (if not more as is my humble opinion regarding Jaime over Diego) and make that well known artist reach a new height. I love Buika but without el maestro Melón, Concha would be just spectacular. Jaime is that powerhouse in my opinion. As much as Melón is to Concha Buíka.

[@juanhernandez-lb8ru]

Es un pug

[@MarinaGonzalez-zv6fv]

Pp

[@bartolocasanova]

El Cigala en NPR, vaya sorpresa, arriba este gypsy king

[@titoluffy]

***** Nos hemos sorprendido unos cuantos la verdad jajaja

[@xavialbanil]

Tito Luffy qué grata sorpresa! so great performance!

[@yerbabuena2984]

***** aquí mucho más contundente, esencial y menos "farandulero" que el otro día en su concierto en Berlín.. ;-)....

[@arnauperezfreixes2714]

Yo me acabo de quedar loquisimo jajajajaja, es un placer de sorpresa

[@tewelenlospies4936]

siii cabeza me acabo quear locoo HJAJAJAJAJA

[@marceloalmd89]

I see gold in his hands, but i see humbleness in his eyes.

[@madmo453]

Diego might be the most enchanting singer I have ever seen. His stage presence is overpowering.

[@MrBiscotti2011]

Just saw Diego in concert in Savannah, GA last night as part of the Savannah Music Festival. This gentleman on the piano whose name is Jaime Calabush, played for a solid 2 1/2 hours without the slighest break. Not even to go to the bathroom. He is the most amazing pianist I have seen in several decades. Diego had a full orchestra with congas, drums, horns, etc. Promoting his new Salsa CD Indestructible. I was impressed with his show. He played for 2.5 hours. They had to kick him off the stage. Many folks were dancing in the ailes. Lol. If you get a chance to see him live, do it.

[@rcfreaks6281]

Viva Cigala.

[@Karennata4]

Canta como si estuviera hablando. La simplicidad de tener un don. Que bello.

[@DrVinylBcn]

Don mis huevos toreros, este tio lleva cantadas mas horas de las que tu viviras. Esta claro que existe el don, pero si no lo trabajas, ese don se queda en nada.

[@Enosigeocore]

@@DrVinylBcn y si no hubiera cantado en su vida lo haría igual de bien

[@brumune]

O, el don de la simplicidad.

[@Vaisin]

@@DrVinylBcn Amén! Totalmente cierto, el don está muy bien tenerlo, siempre facilita, pero sin trabajo no se lleva a ninguna parte. Es curioso como siempre se le da el mérito al talento natural, el trabajo empeñado en desarrollar ese don es lo que realmente deberia llevarse más mérito en mi opinión.

[@contratodos90]

@@DrVinylBcn hombre si no cantas en tu vida y a los 30 años vuelves a cantar no creo que te salga bien no te jode

[@BigBlack81]

I'm probably smoking too much weed here but I swear that Miles Davis could jam with this dude. In listening to this gentleman's magnificence, I can't help but feel like Miles, just the lightest of dustings would put this into places yet heard by man. As is, a hole has been blown in the side of my head from my brain exploding at his sheer awesomeness that I'm not quite sure I WANT to EVER HEAL.

[@TheNanper]

+BigBlack81 Epic. 100% agree

[@cordobes171]

BigBlack81: Perhaps you were smoking too much weed when you wrote that, never the less you where right

[@alfonshomac]

Both Miles Davis and these guys could jam to a broken washer/drier combo with a dog on top and a cat on the bottom

[@juanleon5240]

i did it, soledad+blue in green

[@quentinraymond7505]

Man you're probably incredibly right

[@charlesmarseille123]

Il y a encore de l'espoir dans le monde si ce vidéo a 2.4M de vues. Cigala, Calabuc, merci.

[@manueladuque2805]

Por Dios la combinación perfecta, Diego el cigala con Calabuch simplemente espectacular,sin tanto arreglo y todo tan bien hecho.

[@pedrotortosa1123]

Tremendo pianista, que sensibilidad, que precisión!! El Cigala sublime como siempre

[@santiagosanz4157]

I've never been patriotic, but musiciands like these make me feel "proud" of being spanish. One thing I love is this culture in Spain. I love going to a square in my town where you can always find people playing this kind of music.

[@ericluque6573]

no time for being proud of spain right now..

[@Neuroneos]

Spain is a fascist country. FREE CATALONIA!

[@redmoon6419]

@@Neuroneos Relaxa't. No es el lloc ni el moment per que deixis en evidencia el moviment. Gaudeix la música i calla que estás mes guap@

[@user-hp9ep6oq6h]

@@redmoon6419 De part d'un català no independentista, gràcies .

[@cocorey4918]

@@Neuroneos metéis vuestro totalitarismo fascista tapado llamando fascista a los otros, lo metéis hasta en la música y en el fútbol en todos lados. Sois penosos

[@patrickbaker9870]

Love this man. He touches my heart

[@aldebaran.carrasco.martinez]

Esto es una cátedra de piano. Jumitus me transmite aquí, lo que me transmiten los grandes maestros: han tocado ya mucho y en muchos lugares, y trascendido su adolescencia musical; ya no es necesario demostrar nada, solo hacer música. Movimientos suaves, una dinámica tranquila, pocas notas... pero una musicalidad de otro mundo.

[@karvidoh]

Vida loca con el cigala sube como mil niveles de perfección

[@jlestebanruiz]

This video will never be up there with the rest in number of views but, man, there's MUSIC in capital letters in here. Diego el Cigala makes here a self-contained performance and Calabuch's elegant rendition is amazing.

[@skeletortor1714]

Diego tiene recursos pero Jaime Calabuch es de una precisión absoluta, toca un angel

[@acenanu121]

listening to something so beautiful in a language you don't understand feels spiritual.. this one doesn't feel like a song but a prayer...

[@marcuskristensen9034]

Its funny u say that because gypsy is a native Egyptian essentially. Spain was one of the main hosts for these people since the beginning, so flamenco has many Arabic roots.

[@marcuskristensen9034]

arabic prayers and flamenco are very alike

[@DorkInProgress84]

WHO is this AMAZING pianist?! NPR, I love these videos and your work, but please start crediting accompanists!

[@fjpiera90]

Ellen Womer Jaime Calabuch

[@DorkInProgress84]

Thank you very much! I look forward to hearing more from him.

[@ArnoldOValleyWolfe]

After the first song, Soledad, Diego said his name.

[@madmo453]

He is credited in the video itself at the end.

[@Boogieforme]

I know you commented this three years ago, but you may also like Alfonso Aroca :)

[@sheilaskinner7236]

At my husband's bedside in our local Spanish hospital, doing what you have to do, staying close and trying to see him through these tough times. What's seeing me through these tough times? Real emotional music like this, knowing that heartache is everywhere and feeling not so alone. ¡Viva! la musica de corazones en todo el mundo. Sheila Spain

[@5secsofspainx]

wish him all the best! un beso de madrid

[@sheilaskinner7236]

@@5secsofspainx muchisimas gracias xS

[@DraNaomi]

Ojalá haya ido todo bien!

[@gigibolani4712]

Azúcar ❤

[@sheilaskinner7236]

@@gigibolani4712 estuve con èl hasta su última respiro ..aqui en nuestra casa. "Soledad" pero memòrias maravillosas de mas de 50 años juntos y un amor que morir jamás. Sheila

[@olavelg]

I don't speak Spanish, but understand enough to get the main meaning of the songs. Man - this is just so haunting and beautiful. What a voice and musical interpreter! What a pianist! I can't help but feel that there is so much more musical and emotional depth to this performance than to most of the NPR concerts, as cool as they may be. Will definitely check these guys out more.

[@ArnoldOValleyWolfe]

Diego El Cigala aquí. Maravilloso. For all the people who cannot speak Spanish, thank you for appreciate it. Diego is a Gipsy Spaniard and he might be one of the best "cantaores" (flamenco singers) in the whole world. He's currently living in Dominican Republic. He's in love with the Latin American music and this is the proof of his love.

[@usuariodeyoigo8215]

Piano: Mr. Jaime Calabuch...

[@s22s55s88]

I'm fond of his voice!!!!!!!My favorite spanish music and this kind of vocal!Wow wow wow!!! And special thaks for the splendid pianist! Greetings from armenian musicians to spanish !

[@henry4357]

I saw that pianist on a flight from jersey to miami.

[@Santosofficial69]

Nice guy

[@TheSrcmrc39]

The sound of his voice and music is transcendent. I don't speak Spanish. Just the feel of it brings tears...

[@ALUSESPE]

Loneliness, it was a night without stars When you left me when you left So much pain and so evil. Loneliness from the day you left In the village there is only A conventual silence. Loneiness, the streams are dry And in the streets there are a thousand echoes They are screaming at you ceaselessly Solitude, come back now. To remove with your songs Forever crepes Which deafen my solar. My loneliness returns

[@ALUSESPE]

Soledad , fue una noche sin estrellas cuando al irte me dejaste tanta pena y tanto mal. Soledad desde el día en que te fuiste en el pueblo sólo existe un silencio conventual. Soledad, los arroyos están secos y en las calles hay mil ecos que te gritan sin cesar Soledad, vuelve ya. A quitar con tus canciones para siempre los crespones que ensordecen mi solar. Vuelve ya mi Soledad

[@drakerodriguez2347]

all tht matters is the feeling

[@Carlos31416]

Hi, you don't have to speak Spanish, just get a friend who can help you with it after getting the lyrics. That's some work but largely worth it, the lyrics being 50% of the worth of these incredible classics. I put "Véte de mí" on top of these tiny collection🎨

[@Cattiva]

That's s mark of timeless music , revered by all even when you don't know what they're saying , it's THE feeling . Can't really say that for most of what's on the charts today

[@yvonnesalazar474]

Ese pianista, sublime… bravo por el..!!!!!!❤

[@solbaldino8884]

estaba oyendo otras canciones de Diego y de repente veo que hay un Tiny Desk, no hay manera de que este día pueda ser mejor. gracias 💗

[@MayraGuerrero-hw8df]

No me canso de decirle lo admiro como nadie desde Cuba me encanta su música es única ojalá vuelva una vez más para disfrutar de su Voz que para mí y se que para muchos es la mejor ❤

[@cesardiaz8057]

El cigala! un mostro!! Un fenomeno este cantador flamenco! Un fuera de serie como interpreta sus canciones. De verdad que sus canciones te mueven el corazon y te llenan de emocion. No me canso de decir que es un fenomeno!

[@donguello2281]

Who else sees their humility at the end of each song

[@mcscudieri]

Wow. The pianist..

[@kicocol]

I just heard the first notes on the piano and the Cigala´s voice and hit the like button. This is the kind of videos that need two or more likes per user or a love button.

[@pablolamarcauruguay]

Como carajo se mantiene tan bien el Cigala con tanta farra encima? Otra que los rolling, envidiable.

[@jaelairasca]

el pianista impecable

[@paulodeloscorrea4002]

jael airasca Perdona pero... "Impecable" Bebo.

[@fourestacionesvivald]

Más bien impecable el por que bebo era algo indescriptible e irrepetible. Pero impecable este pianista si lo es

[@kevinducati]

Bravo Mr. Jaime Calabuig

[@errcoche]

Un maestro del acompañamiento.

[@joseavila8097]

@@paulodeloscorrea4002 Disculpa, Bebo Valdès tenìa lo suyo pero muy a su manera, era, para mì, màs "brusco" al interpretar las melodìas, y este señor Calabuch tiene mucho màs "feeling".

[@agustinechedeycalerorodrig5636]

¿El Cígala en NPR? Madre mía que sorpresa y que alegría a la misma vez.

[@nabie981]

Random find from Tiny Desk is often so surprising! I was totally enchanted from the beginning.

[@eb4913]

Sometimes there are no words to describe the emotions one feels from watching/hearing a true virtuoso. This is one of those moments...

[@alvarofajardo1077]

El mejor NPR que he escuchado jamás. Gracias Cigala por tanto. Enorme Jaime, es como si cantase con las teclas

[@Danukki2005]

I have - personally - a difficult evening today. But both guys help me to overcome some aspects. Just because of the beautiful and universal music. I am thankful.

[@ligarowe3300]

I saw Tiny Desk, NPR, and El Cigala-had to watch. No regrets. De repente, mi español salió a la superficie.

[@gusanitokito]

Jaime Calabuch tremendo musico, gracias por hacerme recordar a mi padre, que tocaba con tanta dulzura y pasión el piano

[@t.c.5653]

My wife and I have been lucky enough to see him twice in concert, the last time this past Friday night in Zurich where for two hours he and this wonderful pianist brought the crowd to tears and to our feet. The lyrics and his interpretations are so emotional that it is impossible to find anyone else who can move human emotions like him. He is a gift to music.

[@JuniorSantiago]

i was there as well in zurich but i found the concert in zurüch was only average compared with the one i saw him in madrid

[@sonyasmith6674]

Well send!

[@angelvillarreal6388]

"The nex song ixt" jajaja lo amo al cigala 😍

[@edwinfabio]

Buena observación

[@parguiss]

jajajajajajajajajaja

[@Sid-dy1mo]

Here to get my daily dose of Diego El Cigala🙂

[@TRIPPLEJAY00]

This gentleman has voice, style and ladies must fall at his mercy. Beautiful music.

[@VigrondX]

I found this video because I wanted to know who Jaime Calabuch was after seeing him live in LA with Diego. What a treat.

[@OscarLagerstrom]

Man, it's rare for me to keep coming back to a video for the first minute. The piano intro by Jaime captures my focus immediately. Amazing.

[@diamondwebb5749]

He thinks, strokes and sings. He sits plays and amazes. Both are awesome.

[@amanciocastrohermida9988]

Un placer ver a Jumitus por aquí. Siempre lo traté en persona, y aunque conocía su oficio jamás lo había visto interpretar su arte. El Cigala como de costumbre sublime.

[@AvielMannBallo]

I love how he looks like he's pondering while he sings.

[@BetaCummins]

Still listening, and already teary-eyed from “soledad”. What a voice, dear God.

[@catherinejeffery6292]

So fortunate to have seen Diego perform at a festival in Los Alcazares a couple of years ago. Just fabulous, and super cool, we were transfixed!

[@user-dw2cb2wq9x]

Juré que no voy a dejar de escuchar tú música mí ángel

[@aguijon6]

Menuda sorpresa, el Cigala en los Tiny Desk Concerts! Perfect artist for this performance format.

[@tonaits]

aguijon Justo lo que estaba pensando! :D

[@freddycruz606]

Esta vida loca esa canción es de su autora?

[@cedricrolland8768]

Hay más conciertos muchos mejores. Eso es una publicidad

[@ferguardado9790]

Este Tiny Desk no sería lo que es sin Jaime Calabuch poniendo toda el alma en el perfomance. Muy agradecido con El Cigala pero también con Jaime por eso enorme talento.

[@MrBiscotti2011]

Saw Diego el Cigala in concert recently at the Lucas Theatre. He gave the audience their money's worth for sure. The accompanist on piano is the most amazin pianist I have ever seen, and I have seen a bunch. I don't know his name, but he is from Huelva, Spain. He played for a solid 2 hours plus without taking the slightest break. Never seen anything like it.

[@dakah11]

Wow...thank you for this, great Sunday afternoon tune....

[@MarkoTiano]

A piano is truly a magical instrument, ofcourse if you can play it like that. Class A.

[@OLAFBONDD]

This piano guy is a magician

[@ajdedecty1664]

what a beautiful pianist wow and ElCigala is great beautiful

[@brigand289]

I have no idea what this gentlemen is saying as I don't understand espanol. But I can still appreciate the emotion and the sound from this man's voice. Bravo.

[@RobRenedie]

Joder qué guapo el sitio éste,igual actúa Dj Premier, que actúa Wu Tang o Diego El Cigala, qué energía más guueena tiene que haber ahí

[@cristianperez770]

claro hermanico di que si

[@reiko8728]

lo que hay es mucha droja. Es la moneda de cambio del cigalica

[@AlexisDeLargo]

Ya mismo salen Eskarnia & Eskyzo ahí marcándose un freestyle

[@karakorum2007]

Este Cigala tiene magia, es dueño absoluto de su estilo, combina su fraseo con los acordes del piano con maestría, es el tipo de canciones cálidas que uno escucha en calma.

[@ibrainrente9283]

Jaimito eres simplemente sublime con tu piano también ❤

[@user-yr8ow2mn5g]

❤ he's the best.

[@mariacabral8271]

I have no words to express how magnificent is Diego! The pianist is glorious!

[@aeiou5757]

Cigala, qué grande, qué inmenso que eres. Tus canciones me llevan a los brazos de mis padres. Te escucho y la soledad se va. Te queremos🇪🇦🇪🇦

[@LluisMuns-bv4mj]

uno de los Magos de nuestro tiempo !!!!!!!!!!!! We are One !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[@theelektriccowboy7661]

Who could possibly dislike this gorgeous performance?

[@jorgeeduardorivadeneiraarb1092]

Quien más disfruta de estas hermosas melodías? Saludos desde Ecuador.

[@lazarddiankson1400]

This just takes me to a beautiful 😍place! Love 💘 Love 💘❤ Love! Just so beautifully sung and arranged!! From the excellent pianist to the lead singer 👏! This is why I love 💘 NPR. The variety and quality of the artists is always amazing me. Music is my real true love apart from my family 👪. And although I don't understand what he's singing about, I think we all know love when we see it. Beautiful, and keep ❤ the beautiful work NPR.

[@permafrost1967]

.hermanos ustedes,me hacen sobrevolar el horizonte.gracias.🌵.

[@anavalenz9716]

A pleasant conversation between pianist and singer. The best match! This crazy life he says at the end...I say crazy is the one who doesn't like this.

[@elreyvd]

An utter delight. I have listened to Diego doing the best flamenco available today (along with José Mercé) with great admiration, but this move into mainstream crooning is breathtaking.

[@cristinalopezromero5265]

L

[@CanalDoTugaTA]

Let them kids know what's up

[@jmgm6795]

Clift haigh

[@pedromillet6672]

Lagrimas Negras with Bebo Valdes was an incredible record, a masterpiece in my opinion. But this shift is becoming too long...

[@40zigzagzig]

Jose Merce is a mainstream crooner El Cigal is a gamechanger

[@ISEEKSPACE]

I saw him concert and let me tell you, it was truly a gift!

[@marthagandia1]

No se puede cantar mejor... madre mía Diego, cada vez que lo oigo se me pone todo el bello de punta y con la compañía del gran Jaime Calabuch, solo queda cerrar los ojos, dejarse llevar y tocar el cielo. Gracias maestros, es una delicia oiros.

[@MMEV2016]

...And 4 years later....some cognac...low lights...sit back....let El Cigala take over~

[@DanUpsLives]

El Cigala en un Tiny Desk Concert *mindblow

[@gottabroots]

He pensado lo mismo pero vamos, que por mi encantado. Este tiny es precioso.

[@cedricrolland8768]

@@gottabroots es una publicidad para mí. La última si. Lo demás ufffff vuelve a escuchar con bebo

[@princessauthentic3]

He's incredible. God bless SPANISH ROOTS AND MUSIC, CULTURE ❤️🌞❤️ TE QUIERO ESPAÑA

[@ChachoRukeli]

No canta en español, canta en gitano

[@david-sb2mh]

@@ChachoRukeli Y tú piensas en idioma SUB. NORMAL. Ese es tu idioma.

[@dianehillier2336]

You are the real deal. You are not afraid to give us your heart. Thank you for sharing so deeply.

[@Feraner]

Thank you! Fantastic!

[@javiercarlosvela7245]

grande el cigala y el amigo del piano, Jaime Calabuch...saludos desde Perú----mi señora y yo admiramos tu musica....algun dia te veremos en un concierto en vivo,,,Dios lo permita

[@JaimeHammett]

Diego el Cigala is one of the best flamenco singers nowadays...wich is remarcable... nice performance. Nice pianist too...

[@LluisMuns-bv4mj]

valla 2 el que canta y el pianista !!!! 2 genios en nuestra era y estan vivos !!!!! grande !!! we are One !!!!!!!

[@alessandroguilherme6311]

Sou músico Brasileiro de choro e samba adoro Diego um cantor com uma personalidade única um dia terei o privilégio de assistir um show dele Parabéns sou seu fã .

[@elcanaldefrijo]

El Cigala extraordinario como siempre y Jaime ni se diga. Maravillosa experiencia. Un deleite al espíritu.

[@jonmacarrony2469]

Gracias maestro , desde 🇦🇴Angola, Africa,

[@juanjamesotinianomarquina7032]

una verdadera leyenda pisando las instalaciones y cantando para el publica de la cadena de radio mas grande de USA.

[@pamelaherrera9024]

Wow. Que hermoso toca el pianista y Diego realmente un Gran Interprete . Pfff lo que daria por escuchar un concierto asi.. Cancun, Mexico !

[@lucyperez2704]

Soy Uruguaya y amo a este guitano no habrá en el mundo una vos para el flamenco como la de este fenómeno AMADO CIGALA❤❤❤❤❤

[@sr.gimenez8603]

camarón fue el rey del flamenco, cigala lo hace bien por bolero, tango etc,,

[@davidaraujo927]

My favourite tiny desk concert! From Jaime's wonderful piano comping to Diego's unique interpretation... this is breathtaking!

[@mijailescobar4252]

Muy linda interpretación, buenísimo el piano.

[@phoolchattiashram]

me encanta... cada vez....... oouufffff

[@elmoroquetequitaeltrabajo7527]

Genio entre los mortales. No sabéis cuánto admiro a este señor. Qué manera de cantar tiene!

[@rodrigo.avalos]

Ambos son como una ola continua en el mar, va uno tras otro, al canto, al piano, al sentimiento, a la interpretación, que grandes musicos!...Saludos desde Peru.

[@laurafaba368]

What a video description... it also changed the way we appreciate the concert (not that we don't know it... it just does)

[@familiacastillo6578]

Como es que este señor no se pone Viejo, wow I swear he has created hits that have been covered by so many ❤❤❤❤❤