Gipsy Kings Spotlighted

The Oct. 26 edition of Fifty Shades of Jazz will featured the Gipsy Kings ahead of their appearance in Hartford.

Here’s the archive.

In addition to music from across their storied career, host Lou Pomales interviewed co-founder guitarist Tonino Baliardo. They play Nov. 7 at The Bushnell’s Mortensen Hall.

The group is at the tail end of its Renaissance Tour which began in April and was extended due to popular demand.

Known for their hybrid mix of flamenco, rumba and salsa stylings, the band traces its humble roots to Arles and Montpellier, France, where founding brothers brothers Nicolas and André Reyes and their cousin Baliardo hailed from. The group, initially called Los Reyes (“The Kings”) formed in 1978 and also featured Baliardo’s brothers Jacques and Maurice.

Despite their first few releases failing to garner much attention, they have sold more than 20 million albums and won two Grammy Awards while being nominated for four others.