Jose Manuel Ruiz Motos, ‘Bandolero’
Ruiz Motos began his career as a flamenco percussionist in Madrid in 1976. From a young age, he accompanied figures in dance with Antonio Canales, Joaquín Cortés, Joaquín Grilo, Javier Barón, Manuela Vargas, Merche Esmeralda, Sara Baras, Farruka and Jose Maya.
He formed a company with Joaquín Cortés, going on tour and performing shows in some of the best venues worldwide, including Radio City Music Hall in New York, Royal Albert Hall in London, and the Sydney Opera House.

He regularly played iconic artists with Enrique Morente, Tomatito, Vicente Amigo, Pepe Habichuela, Enrique de Melchor, Estrella Morente, Diego el Cigala and Montse Cortés amongst many other artists. Collaboration with Ramón Porrinas, he is the founder of Echegaray, the first group that published the CD Calle Echegaray in 2002.
Throughout his career, he collaborated with musicians who work in various music styles such as Antonio Serrano, Chano Domínguez, Jorge Pardo, Tino di Geraldo, Javier Colina, Larry Coryell, Carles Benavent, Rubem Dantas, Dave Holand, Pat Metheney, La Barbería del Sur, Ketama and Ñiña Pastori. He has also worked on recordings with Enrique Morente in Omega, Lorca Pequeño Reloj, Sueña la Alhambra and more in his last studio work, Pablo de Málaga was his production assistant.
With Jorge Pardo and Pepe Habichuela in the show (Flamenco Universal), they performed various concerts in 2015. Mr. Ruiz Moto also collaborates regularly with musical producer Javier Limón, and he has also participated in the Gala de Los Premios de la Música on various occasions and is on several recordings. With Jorge Pardo, he was named to be the Best Jazz Musician in Europe in 2013.
He has toured in various countries throughout Europe and Central America with Mr. Pardo. He recorded a disc trio along with Javier Colina and Josemi Carmona, with whom he shares multiple projects. In 2016, he toured alongside Toumani Diabate Juan and Josemi Carmona with project Songhai, and their tour visited different sites in Europe and Africa. He went on tour to the United States with Josemi Carmona and Javier Colina.