Person
Biography
José Molina was a Spanish-born dancer who brought Flamenco dance to U.S. audiences on television and in live performance for decades beginning in the 1950s. He was born in Madrid, where he became interested in dance from an early age and began performing in nightclubs when he was only 16. By the time he was 20, he had been invited to perform on
The Steve Allen Show in the U.S., and he lived in America from that point on, soon joining the company of José Greco. In 1961, he formed his own company, José Molina Bailes Españoles, and they appeared at the Pillow the following year, closing their program with
Taberna Flamenca. Although this was his company’s only Festival appearance, his Pillow presence continued through his students and dancers, including Luis Rivera, Fred Darsow, and others. He died in Manhattan in January 2018 at age 81.
Source of Biography
Written by Norton Owen for Jacob's Pillow Remembers.
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