José Reyes

José Reyes in TV film: "Tierra Gitana", USA, 1996, Nonesuch a documentation of the roots of Gipsy Kings	dito
dito	on stage 1975 in Wilhelmsbad

Born 1928 à Nice, south of France




children: Nicolas, Canut, André, Paul, Patchaï and Fayonne, Rosette "Nenette", 

Martha (married with Chico), Annie, Olange, Nadia.

José Reyes, cousin of Manitas de Plata ( Ricardo Baliardo ) started his career with Manitas
in 1963, as Cantaor of the great
Guitar-player, together with Manéro Baliardo, son of Manitas.


1975 he founded his  own group, José Reyes et Los Reyes with
his sons, Nicolas, Canut, André, Paul, Patchaï and his son-in-law, Jahloul "Chico" Bouchikhi.
They recorded two LPs in Switzerland,  Gitan Poète (vinyl: 1977, CD 1987) and
L'Amour d'un Jour (vinyl: 1978, CD 1987).


1979, June 6th, José Reyes died in reason of a  lung cancer.
The sons, Nicolas, Canut, Paul and a cousin, Tony Reyes, continued the old tradition under
the name "Los Reyes" ( and published Fête des Saintes Maries de la Mer (vinyl: 1982,  CD 1986).
and  "Pasion".


Jahloul "Chico" Bouchikhi, son-in-law of José left the group and founded Chico and the gypsies.


Los Reyes looked for a new name, they called their group  GIPSY KINGS


1988, Canut recorded the album Boléro .


1991, other members of the familiy, Manuel "Tono" Reyes, Toni Noegelen-Reyes,
Antonico Noegelen-Reyes, Niño Baliardo and Mario Regis, continued under
the name Los Reyes publishing Tarot, the style is now more GIPSY KINGS - like.


Also they published an album called "Gipsy Christmas", and under the name
Gipsy Reign, another album: Pasión
1997, Antonico Noegelen Reyes changed some members and published Gipsy Legend.


1993 / 1994, Patchaï surrounded himself with his son and some nephews to continue as
Gitano Family the Gitano tradition and recorded the CD Roque Rock


1996, Gitano Family produced Sara Sara, now without Patchaï.