Gipsy Kings & Nicolas Reyes in Ottawa

Gipsy Kings are a French group formed by musicians from the Reyes and Baliardo families, whose Spanish Romani roots shape their guitar-led rumba flamenca and pop. Their self-titled album established songs including “Bamboléo,” “Djobi Djoba” and “Bem, Bem, María,” while their version of “Volare” became another signature recording. Gipsy Kings played the Royal Albert Hall, and their later open-air concert at Kenwood House in London was filmed and released as Live at Kenwood House. The group performs as an ensemble of acoustic guitarists and singers, supported by handclaps and percussion. “Bamboléo” and “Volare” are longstanding parts of Gipsy Kings concert sets.

Nicolas Reyes is a French singer and guitarist from Arles, best known as the lead vocalist and a founding member of Gipsy Kings. His voice is central to the group’s flamenco-pop sound and songs including “Bamboléo,” “Djobi Djoba” and “Volare.” The concert film Gipsy Kings: Live at the Royal Albert Hall documents Nicolas Reyes fronting the group in London. In later years, he has toured under the billing Gipsy Kings featuring Nicolas Reyes, leading a guitar-based ensemble through the Gipsy Kings catalogue.