Of all the minority musical forms, flamenco can and does thrive without dancers, and indeed even without guitarists. During the majority of intimate duende-fueled gypsy fiestas, there is no guitar available and the singer will be accompanied by nothing more than rhythmic hand-clapping or ....

Fernando Peña Soto- El Pinini (Lebrija, Seville 1863 - 1932) was a humble butcher who was patriarch to one of the biggest and most illustrious dynasties in flamenco history. (He was also the creator of a flamenco song style known as the cantiñas de Pinini).

Of all the minority musical forms, flamenco is different. In spite of what is commonly believed - that the dance is the pivotal endeavour - flamenco can and does thrive without dancers, and indeed even without guitarists; as readers of this book will discover.

Tony Bryant is an English musician/writer who has lived in Andalusia since 1994. He is the author of two books concerning the art of flamenco and he has written numerous articles concerning flamenco, which have been published in London, France, Israel and America.