Pablo Reyes, The Legscy of Gipsy Kings, Interview

There is a particular kind of flame in Pablo Reyes' voice-soft, nostalgic, yet burning with the intensity of a lifetime spent in rhythm. During the Monte Carlo Film Festival, where the Gipsy Kings New closed the ceremony with a vibrant celebration of rumba flamenca, Reyes sat down for an exclusive interview with Stylezza. What emerged was a tapestry of stories: the origins of an iconic band, the encounters that shaped them, and the heritage he now passes on to a new generation of musicians.
But above all, there was her-Brigitte Bardot.
A myth, a muse, and the unexpected guardian angel of a group of young musicians who would soon conquer the world.

Brigitte Bardot: The Star Who Sparked a Flame

Pablo's eyes soften as he remembers the day destiny knocked on the door-quite literally-of Bardot's home in Saint-Tropez. The Gipsy Kings were at their very beginnings, playing wherever they could, their guitars echoing under the Mediterranean sun. One afternoon, their music floated through the lush gardens of Bardot's villa.
"She came out smiling," Reyes recalls. "Brigitte Bardot herself-radiant, natural, barefoot in the garden. She told us to come in. From that moment, everything changed."
The band stayed with her for some time, living within the bohemian serenity of her estate. They ate fruit and vegetables from her own garden, shared long conversations under the shade of her trees, and played music that filled the warm Riviera evenings.
"Brigitte was generous, playful, full of heart," Pablo says. "One day, she handed me a small dog-her gift to me, a sign of affection. It was... unforgettable."
It was more than hospitality. It was mentorship. It was visibility. It was the spark that helped illuminate the road ahead.

The Rise of the Gipsy Kings: A Global Flame

From those humble days in Saint-Tropez, the Gipsy Kings would rise to become one of the most influential Latin-flamenco groups in history. Their sound-a passionate blend of rumba catalana, flamenco roots, and pop sensibilities-captured the world.
With hits like "Bamboléo," "Djobi Djoba," "Volare," and "Ben Olam," they brought an entire musical culture to a global audience. Their albums achieved multi-platinum status, topping charts across continents. They played for presidents, royalties, and sold-out arenas, becoming the international face of gypsy music.
"We were never trying to be stars," Pablo says. "We were just telling our story with guitars. The world connected with that."

The Heritage Continues: Gipsy Kings New

Today, Pablo Reyes carries the legacy forward-this time not only on stage, but through the next generation. Gipsy Kings New is composed of talented young musicians from the family lineage, artists raised in the same traditions, rhythms, and emotional fire that created the original band.
"They have the blood, the instinct, the soul," Pablo says with pride. "Music is something you inherit. It's in your bones."
Their performance at the closing of the Monte Carlo Film Festival was a testament to this inheritance. The hall vibrated with the familiar energy of handclaps, strings, and voices soaring in harmony. Guests rose to their feet, drawn into the festive spell only the Gipsy Kings-and now, Gipsy Kings New-can conjure.
The torch has been passed, but the flame remains unmistakably the same.

A Life of Music, Memory and Identity

Pablo Reyes' story is not only the story of a band. It's the story of a culture preserved in melodies, of survival turned into celebration, of encounters-like the one with Brigitte Bardot-that shift destinies. It is the story of how a handful of musicians from a small community became legends, without ever losing the soul of their roots.
"Music is freedom," he tells us as the interview comes to an end. "Music is who we are. And as long as we play, the story continues."