El Amir in Concert

Be transported by the extraordinary music of Amir John Haddad, known professionally as El Amir: a flamenco guitarist whose music transcends traditional boundaries. On this very special night, El Amir will be joined by the celebrated dancer Christina Pagés, coming from Granada in her debut collaboration with El Amir, and master Nicaraguan guitarist Omar Rios.

El Amir’s musical landscape is shaped by a remarkable fusion of sounds, rooted in his early connection with the Arabic oud. This evening will move you through the roots and modern expressions of flamenco, an exploration that will leave you speechless. His virtuosity extends beyond the guitar, as he masterfully plays instruments including the oud, bouzouki, banjo, saz, bass, ukulele, and electric guitar.

Prepare for a night like no other in a venue like no other: St. John the Baptist Church, transformed into a concert space with incredible acoustics and breathtaking surroundings. This night may very well change the way you experience flamenco forever.

And the evening doesn’t end there... a hidden venue nearby is reserved for a secret Juerga after the concert. Slowly, we will move together into a night of shared music, dance, and joy. If you would like to come to the juerga, select tickets with the option Show & Juerga.

For the ultimate experience, a limited number of first-row tickets guarantee the best view, closest connection, and ultimate immersion, no matter what time you arrive. And if you would like to come to the juerga, select tickets first row (show and juerga)

Amir-John Haddad was born In Freiburg Germany in 1975 with a Colombian and Palestinian background.

His family environment taught him how to play music by ear. He learned music, his future language, by oral transmission and was only 7 years old when he officially started studying the Flamenco guitar after learning Arabic oud at home by the hand of his father and first teacher Rimon Haddad. Amir started playing live at school venues when he was 7 years old and by the age of 12 he gave his first public concert on a “real” stage.

Years later in 1997 Amir decided to move further south to live and study guitar in one of the most important birthplaces of Flamenco, Jerez de la Frontera (Andalucía-Spain). During his period in Andalucía he was disciple of famous guitar maestros like Pepe Justicia and Enrique de Melchor.

Since then he has played in famous Flamenco Tablaos such as Las Carboneras, Café de Chinitas, Corral de la Pacheca, Casa Patas and collaborated with international artists such as Diego El Cigala, Estrella Morente, José Mercé, Miguel Poveda, Arcángel, Jorge Pardo, Raimundo Amador, Antonio Canales, Hans Zimmer, Marcus Miller, Lisa Gerrard, Naseer Shamma, and Farah Siraj amongst others.

Granada-born flamenco dancer, Cristina has worked with flamenco legends like Concha Jareño, Moisés Navarro, Rocío Molina, Pastora Galván, Antonio Canales, and La Farruca. Christina has lit up tablaos such as Los Amayas (Málaga), Albaycín (Granada), La Quimera and Torres Bermejas (Madrid), and Tablao de Carmen and Palau Dalmases (Barcelona). She starred in Quijote en Nueva York, a flamenco documentary tribute to the legendary bailaor Carrete de Málaga. Whether on stage or in class, she brings fierce passion and infectious fun that no one can resist.

Omar Rios is a Nicaraguan guitarist and composer living in London. He started playing the guitar at 11 and has performed in several countries throughout a 15-year career, including Nicaragua, Colombia, Russia, the United States, Belgium, Spain, Costa Rica, Honduras, and the UK. His music draws from flamenco, rock, jazz, fusion, and Latin traditions, creating a distinctive and emotive sound.

Omar has released two albums with Marquee Records: Free Soul (2021) and Aurora (2024).

Event Venue & Nearby Stays

St John the Baptist Church, Hoxton, Pitfield Street, London, United Kingdom