THE FAMILY THAT PLAYS
TOGETHER, SWAYS TOGETHER

Generations of the Reyes family
keep the Gipsy Kings’ irresistible
rhythms moving forward

Under a cool, clear moonlit sky at Wolf Trap last night, the Gipsy Kings turned a summer concert into a family affair, with generations of the Reyes clan sharing a musical heritage that proved as irresistible to grandchildren as it was to grandmothers.

The evening began with Reyes Heritage, offering a glimpse of the family’s next generation. Among the four guitarists was George, an ambidextrous musician who switched the orientation of his guitar from one song to another. Their set moved between rhythmic, guitar-driven numbers and quieter moments, including a lovely rendition of Francis Cabrel’s “Je l’aime à mourir.”

Then came Nicolas Reyes, longtime leader and co-founder of the Gipsy Kings. Reyes carries a musical legacy that began with his father, José Reyes, and now extends through another generation of musicians.

There could hardly have been a better opener than “Bamboléo.” Dancing began almost as soon as the guitars did, while “Djobi Djoba” pushed the energy higher with drums, shakers and bongos joining the guitars and bass. Rhythm is the lifeblood of the Gipsy Kings’ sound, and the musicians demonstrated just how potent that deceptively simple combination can be.

Some of the evening’s most impressive playing came from the younger guitarists. While most of the guitars supplied the rhythmic foundation, the younger musicians stepped forward for instrumental solos. On “Pharaon,” the youngest guitarist took the lead, while young Lino offered another standout performance on the instrumental “Historia de un Amor.”

The band showed its softer side with “Un Amor,” sung to the women in the audience, and the romantic ballad “Amore Mio.” The arrangements also expanded beyond guitars and bass, with the percussionist contributing synth, although the bass occasionally overwhelmed the mix.

But this was ultimately a night for dancing. “Baila Me” sent people into the aisles, and “Volare” brought the evening to an exuberant peak as the crowd clapped, danced and sang along. Best of all was watching generations dancing together, with grandmothers alongside enthusiastic grandchildren.

That intergenerational spirit reflected what was happening onstage. Reyes Heritage opened the evening looking toward the future, while Nicolas Reyes remained at the center of a musical tradition passed from his father’s generation to his own and now to the next.

The Gipsy Kings’ music may be rooted in flamenco and rumba, but its appeal has traveled across languages, cultures and generations. Beneath the Wolf Trap moon, Nicolas Reyes and his musical family demonstrated that a legacy doesn’t have to sit still to endure. Sometimes it dances.

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photos Karl Magnuson for Wolf Trap

Gipsy Kings featuring Nicolas Reyes
Reyes Heritage
Filene Center at Wolf Trap, 1551 Trap Road in Vienna, Virginia
reviewed August 23, 2026
for tickets and more information, visit Wolf Trap

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