Jose Manuel Blanco, El Grillu, was born and raised in the Spanish seaport town of Gijón, Spain, moved to the United States on 1982 and back to his home town on 2020 to continue recording his works and producing

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Coming from a family of rich musical traditions - Jose is an accomplished musician/actor,  guitar player, producer, arranger, composer, writer, “Cantaor” (Flamenco vocalist) percussionist and documentary film maker aficionado

 

Featured on guitar or as a vocalist El Grillu has contributed to records by artists such as Steve Pasero, Rebecca Mauleon, Tito Puente, Ottmar Liebert,  Jason McGuire, Roberto Corrias, José Del Valle Chuscales and the Grammy-nominated Eddy Xol. 

 

in collaboration with Yaya Maldonado and Edgardo Cambon El Grillu wrote and composed  “Liliana” and “Una Noche,” both compositions are featured in the major motion picture “The New Age”, directed by Michael Tolkin and produced by Oliver Stone, lately "Sol Y viento Flamenco " a composition work by Jason McGuire. John Gilham and El Grillu was featured on  "Finding Compás" a new film by Kathy Douglas and Sara Moncada  to be released  on  2023

 

Jose has accumulated more than 30 years of experience through performances and touring with renowned artists. 

 

Most recently El Grillu co-produced and performed on the newest release from Jason McGuire titled “Distancias”, “La Calle del Pintau” by Roberto Corrias and “Soul Encounters” by Jose del Valle “Chuscales”.