Paco Lara

Paco Lara performs at the Qld Multicultural Centre Saturday 15 October 2022.

Francisco Lara Puerto, better known as Paco Lara is an acclaimed flamenco guitarist from the birthplace and cradle of flamenco Jerez de la Frontera, in Spain.

Paco started playing guitar at a very young age, when he was only 8-years-old. At a still tender age of 16, Paco began working professionally as a flamenco guitarist with one of his brothers singer Jose Lara, recording 2 albums and touring extensively.

Later, Paco was also mentor and promoter of his other brother, Santiago Lara, who won the renowned La Bienal de Flamenco de Sevilla (2000), Spain’s most prestigious guitar competition.

Embodying the unmistakable and genuine Jerez style of flamenco guitar playing Paco Lara has toured internationally alongside Maestro Paco Cepero, one of flamenco’s most legendary guitarists and composers.

Paco has been at the vanguard of Flamenco Fusion music genre, with hugely successful bands such as El Barrio (from 2000 to 2003) and Los Delinquentes (from 2007 to 2011).

Apart from his skill as a formidable soloist, Paco is also revered for his ability as an accompanist in the specialised world of flamenco singing (Cante). This he demonstrated by recording and performing with a number of flamenco’s most significant artists including:
· Beni de Cadiz
· Juan Moneo “El Torta”
· Miguel Flores “El Capullo de Jerez”
· Tomasa Guerrero “La Macanita”
· Remedios Amaya
· Jose de los Camarones, etc.

Paco has also toured with the principal figure of The Copla Espariola, Isabel Pantoja in Santiago de Chille – Chille, for the Festival Viria del Mar 2017 and in Lima- Peru.

As an accompanist to flamenco dance (Baile), Paco has participated in many European tours with famed flamenco dancer Mercedes Ruiz from Jerez, in her concerts Dibujos en el Aire, Gestos de Mujer and Perspectivas. The latter was awarded the “Critics Choice” at The Festival de Jerez in 2011 and this collaboration project went on being represented in variety of prestigious programs and festivals across Europe including:
· “Festival de la Guitarra de Cordoba” Cordoba – Spain (2012)
· “Festival Plaza Flamenca”, Beziers – France (2012)
· “Teatro Compac Gran Via Madrid” Madrid – Spain ( 2012)
· “Fiesta de la Buleria de Jerez” Jerez – Spain (2012)
· “Bienal de Sevilla” Seville – Spain (2012)
· “Oktoberfest” Munich – Germany (2012)
· “Casa de la Mtisica Moscow” Moscow – Russia (2013)
· “Festival Flamenco” St. Petersburg – Russia (2013)

Throughout his long and fruitful career, Paco Lara has recorded over 20 albums with some of the best flamenco artists in Spain.

Paco has now moved to Australia and is touring with his show The Andalusian Guitar.