Chambao’s 25 years in five unforgettable moments for La Mari
María del Mar Rodríguez Carnero, better known to everyone as La Mari, is celebrating her silver anniversary as alma mater of Chambao. Heroine of chill flamenco, La Mari reviews her twenty-five years active by choosing a Top 5 favorite moments from her musical career.
Top 1 – The day my mother sang with me at a concert
It was in 2005 at the Sohail Castle in Fuengirola in Malaga. We have a very special memory together holding hands, without taking our eyes off each other for a single moment. In my house we have always heard my mother sing but never on stage. I was in the middle of chemotherapy treatment for my first breast cancer and the whole family was going through complex moments, and music sheltered us in its magical refuge. The following year we repeated, this time to record the concert that a few months later went on sale as the album and live DVD. “Chambao: Walking 2001-2006” (2006) with special collaborations from artists such as Bebe, Miguel Campello (El Bicho) and Antonio Carmona, among others.
Top 2 – 2006 in Miami at Ricky Martin’s MTV Unplugged concert
At that time we were on the same record label, Sony Music, and they told me that Ricky Martin wanted to meet me because he liked the music of Chambaomy voice, the lyrics and that I wanted to propose to participate in the song “Your memory”, which would be the single from the album recorded live for MTV Unplugged. At first I didn’t believe it, until one day I had him in front of me talking to me about the records. “Endorphins in the mind” (2003) and “Pokito by poko” (2005), from the warmth of my voice. For me, that first contact was very surprising and fun, which years later became a beautiful friendship and all my admiration and affection for Ricky and his team. I remember that when my voice sounded in the second part of the song there was silence in the audience, but they immediately started applauding and praising my performance. At the end of the concert the audience asked us to sing it again and so we did it off camera.
Top 3 – The day I was awarded the prestigious Medal of Andalusia
It was during Andalusia Day on February 28, 2009. Recognition granted by the Junta de Andalucía for my outstanding musical career and contribution to the dissemination of Andalusian culture through chill flamenco, achieving numerous national and international successes. I remember a feeling of pride for such recognition being so young and with a short musical career.
Top 4 – A very special concert in 2012 with all tickets sold at the Gran Rex theater in Buenos Aires
That concert was the twinning and consolidation of Chambao with the Argentine people. It was a before and after and I didn’t want the song list to end, I didn’t want to leave that wonderful theater. We had been working in Argentina since 2004, going to spaces like La Trastienda where one day I met Lila Downs, who years later would ask me for a collaboration. At that time, 2012, Chambao It was beginning to have a place in the Latin music scene both in Spain, Europe and Latin America, and little by little more and more countries joined.
Top 5- The release of the Chambao 25th Anniversary album
This album was born from the desire to celebrate the silver wedding anniversary of Chambao with his audience and with all the people who have participated in the birth and continuity of his music. For this 25th anniversary party, I have brought together twenty-five national and international artists to sing the most emblematic songs of my discography, along with a large cast of musicians with whom I have shared the stage during all these years on this important date.
