Juan Jesús Quintero: Musician from Conil

Today, once again, we are dedicating our music section to getting to know the trajectory of another one of our musicians from Conil. On this occasion, it's the turn of a musician with extensive experience and many years dedicated to everything related to music, namely Juan Jesús Quintero.

Leo: Hello, Juan Jesús! Tell us, how many years have you been in the world of music? Juan Jesús: I would say my entire life. When I was nine years old, I had a group called Taro, in which I played a drum made of Moroccan tantans. Not long ago, I saw the lyrics of the songs we played in that group. Before that, I remember being in the entrance hall of my house, singing and hearing the echo of my voice.

L.: How were your professional beginnings? J.J.: My first job, let's say official and related to my profession, was at nineteen years old, giving a guitar course organized by the Conil town council. Since then, I have always combined my classes in different places with my performances, doing live shows in our area and many other places, both in Spain and in Germany.

L.: What is your musical training? J.J.: I am a teacher specialized in music and a guitar professor from the conservatory. Additionally, I have countless courses taken through the Universities of Córdoba, Seville, and Cádiz. Everything related to music, however, I also consider myself a self-taught musician because I have always wanted to learn, investigate, and understand music in the broadest sense of the word. For this reason, I have not only immersed myself in teaching and live performances, but also in composition, instrument sales and manufacturing, etc. In short, everything that has to do with music sparks my interest.

L.: How would you define your music? J.J.: Well, as a musician, I have had to do everything to survive. So I have done all types of music, which is also linked to my desire to understand and learn. However, the path I like the most is defined in the Mergablo album, where I mix Andalusian rock, jazz, and flamenco.

L.: Is there any anecdote you can tell us about during one of your performances? J.J.: One day I was performing at a party in Marbella, and after the concert, I went with my plate to a group of guys. I told them if they didn't mind me sitting with them. I was talking and eating quietly with them until two in the morning. Then one of them stood up and asked if I knew them. I answered that I did not. They asked if I knew anything about basketball, and I told them I had a friend who played basketball, nothing more. Then they started looking at each other in amazement. It turned out they were the Spanish national basketball team that had just won the last world championship.

L.: Incredible! Thank you very much, Juan Jesús Quintero, for your time. We wish you continued success in your beloved musical career.

Glossary (the) Tantan: percussion musical instrument. (the) Zaguán: space inside a house that serves as an entrance, located after the street door. (the) Afán: intense desire or aspiration for something.