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Daughter of the cantaor Diego Santiago Vargas, María José showed signs of being an artist from a very early age. As a child, she won flamenco singing competitions, establishing herself in peñas, festivals and competitions. This was the beginning of María José Santiago's artistic career.
Great artists of the time (the 80's began) included Santiago in their records, such as Lola Flores, La Paquera de Jerez or José Mercé among others. And it would be in 1982 when one of María José's greatest international hits arrived, making her an essential artist at Christmas: the carol "Carita Divina".
Successful performances on TV and a very complete recording career, which included flamenco albums, coplas, boleros and great international hits such as "Tu locura", an album from 1986 which was a huge success in Miami and in the Spanish-speaking market in the USA. This was the moment of his peak and Latin America soon surrendered to his talent. During the 80s, several albums followed and in 1990, once again in Miami. In the 90's, he presented his new album "Teatro", which would become one of his most important works, an example of the greatness of his talent.
The 90s would come with new projects, tours, television triumphs and records, among them "Flamenco son", recorded in Havana, in the studios of Silvio Rodríguez, with the arrangements of Adalberto Álvarez and the direction of Ricardo Pachón.
In 2000, María José returned to TV as a presenter as well as touring Spain and Latin America and in the following years, new albums, new collaborations, presence in important social events...
When talking about Santiago, special mention must be made of her "zambombas flamencas". She has been a pioneer in creating great Christmas shows where the Christmas carols carry the rhythm of the bulerías of Jerez, her homeland. It could be said that there is no Christmas without a zambomba by María José Santiago. The singer has released several albums in the new millennium, always alternating with other releases of different styles.
TV appearances in Spain, Portugal, Mexico, Cuba, Morocco... concerts, special collaborations and a performance that for María José, a woman of intense faith, is unforgettable: the one she gave in front of Pope Francis at the Vatican, in front of 5,000 gypsies, paying tribute to Ceferino Giménez Malla. A day of intense emotion for the artist who united her gypsy roots, her Christian faith and her art, in front of one of the figures she most admires, Pope Francis.
María José has forged her career on the strength of good work, seriousness, commitment and sincerity. In 2022 she released an album to celebrate her more than 40 years on stage: "40 María José Santiago" where she shows that she is still in full bloom and where she shares songs with Bertín Osborne, Pitingo and Miguel Poveda.