Born Estrella María Benzo Blas in Seville, Spain, on March 23, 1985, Estrella is part of a new generation of flamenco singers that seek to fusion traditional cante with pop, soul, or rhythm and blues. The daughter of a musical family (her mother shared the stage with Lola Flores and her father is a songwriter), Estrella was immersed in the world of flamenco since her early childhood. By her late teens Estrella had decided to become a professional singer and started to perform with local orchestras and as a background vocalist for other artists such as Junior Míguez. Estrella's powerful and original voice soon came to the attention of Ketama's producer Erik Nilsson, who offered to make a record with her. Nilsson wrote the music and arrangements while Estrella came up with the melodies and lyrics. Estrella's debut album was released in 2006, to very positive reviews. It was followed in 2009 by Black Flamenco, an even stronger effort that from its very title announced Estrella's ambition of creating her own hybrid of African-American music and Spanish flamenco. ~ Mariano Prunes