Antonio Manuel Alvarez Velez he was born in Ayamonte, Huelva Spain in 1981 into a tradition of flamenco, related to big names of flamenco families like, los "Carpio", los "Valencia" and Los Pelaos de Triana. 
 
Pitingo in the language of the Gypsy means self-assertive, and some people may think that may be the right name for a a singer that thinks that he can mix together two of his passions flamenco and soul music, but he thinks that one music can complements the other. He is able to do this because of his great Knowles of both music styles. His first CD Pitingo with Habichuela mixes the most orthodox flamenco with soul music. 
 
He admires soul and Jazz musicians like: Aretha Franklin, Marvin Gaye, Ray Charles.  And listens to classic flamenco like: La Nina de los Peines, Manolo Caracol, Camaron de la Isla and Marchena. 
 
I had the opportunity to talk with him after one of his concerts in Madrid.

 
Maika: What is flamenco for you? 
 
Pitingo: Flamenco is a life style, a way you see life. Everything in my life is about flamenco. 
 
 
Maika: Most of your work is in pure flamenco, but this last one you call it Souleria. What is Souleria? 
 
Pitingo: Souleria is a gospel or soul harmony that is played to the rhythm of buleria. I think that it's something new that I am providing, soul and flamenco have things in common, manly the suffering. I believe I am putting together the feeling of two cultures in one voice. 
 
Maika: What are your future plans? 
 
Pitingo: I am going to Chicago, it's part of a sponsorship of “el Instituto Cervantes” part of my tour of Souleria. I am also coming out with a new CD that’s going to have some “sevillanas Pitingueras”,  so you can dance them in your Rociera tour, I was in an Hermandad Rociera for four years. 
 
Maika: Thank you very much for your time and wish you the best. 
 
Pitingo:  Thank you Maika, I wish you and your partner Eric the best in your flamenco tours, it was time that someone would show flamenco in Spain at its best.