José Mercé is the artistic name of José Soto Soto.
Born in Jerez de la Frontera in 1955, he is a descendant of the mythical Paco la Luz and nephew of El Sernita and El Sordera. As a child, he was a singer in the choir of the Basilica de la Merced, hence his stage name.
He debuted at the age of twelve in his native land, performing at the Jueves Flamencos festivals, organized by the guitarist Manuel Morao.
In 1970 he was hired for the tablao La Cueva del Pájaro Azul, in Cádiz, together with Rancapino, Juanito Villar and Pepa de Utrera. His first years The following year he moved to Madrid and made his first recordings, illustrated a conference by Domingo Manfredi, at the Ateneo de Madrid, and joined the Tablao Torres Bermejas, to then sing to the Trío Madrid, formed by Mario Maya, El Güito and Carmen Mora, in their performances in various theaters in Madrid and the province. From 1973 to 1983, he belonged to the Antonio Gades company, with whom he made the film Bodas de Sangre and toured the stages of Europe and America several times. After some performances with the National Ballet, he began his recitals in cultural centers, flamenco clubs and festivals, participating in the International Courses of Flamenco Art of the Chair of Flamencology and Andalusian Folklore Studies, an entity that awarded him the Copa Jerez. In 1985 he had an excellent season in the Andalusian festivals and in 1986 he obtained the La Serneta and Niña de los Peines awards in the National Flamenco Art Contest of Córdoba, which meant his consecration and his presence in the main flamenco events, including his selection for the II El Giraldillo del Cante Contest, of the IV Biennial of Flamenco Art Ciudad de Sevilla, ranking in second place. The 80s of Mercé Since 1986 he has been a figure in the Café de Chinitas tablao.
Master of a wide range of styles, especially those of Jerez, Cádiz and los Puertos and Alcalá.
Manuel Ríos Ruiz assures that “we are, on the one hand, facing an artist who, from his beginnings, glimpsed his destiny, and who, despite his youth, has already had a brilliant and difficult projection, through which he was professionally forged to become an interpreter with broad and deep knowledge of his art.” In recent years, José Mercé has leaned towards a flamenco with more accompaniment and, above all, more cheerful, highlighting his great success “Aire”, which has become a star album since the singer released it.