José Manuel did his Piano and Clarinet studies at the “Conservatorio Superior de Música de Córdoba”, finishing both instruments with a “Premio Extraordinario Fin de Carrera / Extraordinary End of Studies Reward”.
He has developed an extensive artistic career in Spain, Belgium, Polonia, Germany, Cuba, United Kingdom, Czech Republic, Slovakian Republic, France, Andorra, United States, Venezuela, Austria, Brasil, Croatia, Hungary, Greece, Ukraine, Denmark, Turkey, Italy, Sweden, Lebanon, Siria, Portugal, Swiss, Philippine and Japan, performing in prestigious auditoriums such as New York Carnegie Hall, the National Auditorium and the Royal Theatre in Madrid, the Hacettpe Auditorium in Ankara (Turkey), the “Purcell Room” at the London Southbank Centre (UK), at the inauguration of the “Auditorio de la Casa Museo Andrés Segovia” , the Palau de la Música (Valencia), the Guitar Palace in Japan, etc. Together with his brother, Francisco Cuenca, he has recorded eight records, mainly dedicated to Spanish Music, published and distributed by “Dial Discos”, S. A. from Madrid.
They have also a live video recorded at the Guitar Palace in Japan, and a DVD at the Fazioli Gallery in Paris, recorded by SearstarMusic TV.
They were awarded, by the Linares Municipality, the 2001 Culture Award for their trajectory in favour of culture.
Similarly, the Congress “Linares Información” has given them in 2004, the Award “Linarenses sin fronteras” together with such relevant artists as the Spanish singer Raphael.
In May 2005, he was nominated Honorary Professor of the Huarte de San Juan Institute in Linares, with the sponsorship of Dr.Perucho, prestigious international scientist, discoverer of human oncogenes.
In 2007 he was awarded with the Mention of Honor “Dulce de Membrillo” in the IV chart of the Women Association María Górriz of Puente Genil (Córdoba). In 2009 the Puente Genil city council names him “Hijo Predilecto”and gives him the City Gold Medal. In 2010 he received the Andrés Segovia Medal from Foundation named after the distinguished linarean guitarist.
