A concert organized by the Music and Jazz Club of the popular Johnny will launch the new educational program.
On November 15th the historic auditorium of the Colegio Mayor San Juan Evangelista will feature the official presentation of the Fundación San Juan Evangelista, organized by a group of alumni in order to guarantee the continuation of the school and launch an ambitious future project. And who better than Tomatito, who lived through so many glorious nights at the Club de Música y Jazz San Juan Evangelista to inaugurate this admirable initiative.
The concert has generated a lot of interest, not only because of Tomatito’s unquestionable artistic worth and that of his group, but also because of the commitment which has been evident on so many occasions to Madrid’s cultural community, with the solidarity of an initiative such as that now represented by the guitarist from Almería. “For the Johnny” said Tomatito, “I’ll go anywhere. I’ve been here so many times, that I now feel like a part of this school. And I think I also helped forge the spirit of the Johnny. If Tomatito is needed to lend a hand, Tomatito is right on board”.
There is a limited number of tickets, “and they’re bound to be too few given the popularity of my paisano in Madrid, and not only Madrid, but throughout the world” said Alejandro Reyes of Almería, president of the Club de Música y Jazz San Juan Evangelista, and co-organizer of the event, who could not find enough words of praise for Tomatito, “who is now a part of the history of the school” he said. Everything would seem to suggest that the auditorium of the Johnny will be small once again as has occurred so many times throughout its long history.
The San Juan Evangelista Foundation, just barely three months old, with this concert, aims to show its gratitude to all the people who have collaborated with their work, selflessly, to set the foundations for this project. Its president, José Joaquín Caerols, does not hide his satisfaction with the results that materialized as soon as the initiative was launched: “In 48 hours we collected enough money to establish the foundation. Old students, but also friends and supporters of the Johnny responded without hesitation. No one asked about where the money was going. Everyone had one thought in mind: the school’s future had to be guaranteed”.
Without skipping a beat or wasting any time, from the very moment the Foundation was formed, it threw all its weight behind the search for ways of making continuity possible. “We are reasonably optimistic” added the president, “but above all, cautious. We’ve found institutions really anxious to help, but there’s no denying this is a difficult moment. One way or another, we believe the San Juan will keep moving forward. It always has. That’s part of its character and its history”.
The Foundation’s doors are open, not only for alumni, but also for those who over the years have come to the school out of a shared vision and the social commitment that inspired it, as well as for the quality of the rich cultural life that has always been encouraged.
JOSÉ FERNÁNDEZ TORRES “TOMATITO”
Flamenco guitar in concert
Accompanied by:
2nd guitar – CRISTOBAL SANTIAGO
Singer – KIKI CORTIÑAS
Singer – RAFAEL JIMENEZ “RAFITA”
Keyboard – JOSÉ MARIA SÁNCHEZ «CORTINA»
Bass – ANTONIO RAMOS “MACA”
Percussion – LUCKY LOSADA
Dance – PALOMA FANTOVA
