Manuel Serrapi Sanchez "Nin~o Ricardo" (1904-1972, Seville) is a colossus in the history of flamenco guitar. He is particularly special because of his assimilation of the best elements of three great guitarists that preceded him: the sweet, harmonious playing of Raymo'n Montoya; the speed and ability to accompany singers of Javier Molina; and the special rhythm and grace of Manolo de Huelva. Many consider Nin~o Ricardo the best accompanying guitarist ever, and he had his own theory as to the principles governing this singular style of accompanying a singer: "Guitar playing and singing have to have a dialogue. The singing cannot drown out the guitar, and the guitar cannot stray from the song...". In this style of playing, he has surely been one of the most influential of all guitarists, both among his peers and among the generations that follow.