His full name is Diego Ramón Jiménez Salazar, but to contemporary flamenco fans he's known as Diego el Cigala, or "the Little Prawn." The famous flamenco singer José Monje Cruz gave him the nickname because of his small size and enormous passion. Singing in Madrid clubs came first, and then he was hired to accompany many of flamenco's most famous dancers. Diego went "in front" -- flamenco slang for having your own career -- in 1994. The 2004 release Lágrimas Negras, with Cuban jazz pianist Bebo Valdés, brought international acclaim. Two years later, Picasso en Mis Ojos won the 2006 Latin Grammy for Best Flamenco Album. ~ David Jeffries