THE PASSION OF FLAMENCO WITH THE RAFINEMENT OF JAZZ
“[…] a new dawn for flamenco” – La Voz del Sur
Flamenco singing and dancing in tune with jazz: Barcelona’s Los Aurora is coming to Montreal on Sunday, February 2 at Le Gesù, as part of Music and Traditions of the World series, presented by Traquen’Art.
Video: Polo | Manuel del Falla (1914)
At the forefront of a new generation of nuevo flamenco, Los Aurora includes cantaor Pere Martínez, Max Villavecchia at the piano, Javi Garrabella on electric bass, Joan Carles Marí on drums and dancer Pol Jimenez. This talented group that emerged from the Taller de Músics (Musicians’ Workshop in Catalan) in Barcelona – an institution that has played a major role in the musical modernization of the Iberian Peninsula since 1979.
“Los Aurora: they sing, play, dance… with great passion.” – Más Jazz
Inspired by the greats of Spanish music and poetry, Los Aurora marries the ardour of flamenco with the refinement of jazz. With this bold combination, the Barcelona quintet is renewing the genre in a way that is as exciting as it is new. On stage, the players are united, perfectly symbiotic, as if they formed a single entity. You need to hear the singer Pere Martínez or see the dancer Pol Jimenez in action to understand the extent of the possibilities of this ensemble.
REINTERPRETING MANUEL DE FALLA
With as much duende as groove, Los Auroras reinterprets the most popular songs of Cádiz-born pianist Manuel de Falla (1874-1946) and his contemporaries Isaac Albéniz (music), Felip Pedrell (music) and Federico García Lorca (poetry).
Video: Anda Jaleo | Federico García Lorca (1931)
EXPLORING NEW HORIZONS
The ensemble was created a little over three years ago, thanks to a request from the Auditori de Barcelona to Pere Martínez, a rising star in flamenco singing. The idea was to create a concert in honour of the composer and pianist Manuel de Falla, a leading figure in 20th century Spanish music. Although it was supposed to be a one-off concert, “Pere Martínez por Falla” was so well received that the five players have since carried on the adventure under the name Los Aurora.
“Flamenco soars and grows as it always has: in complete freedom.” – La Voz del Sur
Without attempting to recreate pure or unadulterated music, the pieces, arrangements and intent of these talented musicians demonstrate a thorough and respectful study of what their predecessors did instinctively, without offending or wanting to offend. A beautiful work in which the different components – singing, dancing, flamenco and jazz – feed each other and complement each other joyfully on stage.
Their self-titled debut album was named as one of the ten best flamenco albums of 2017 by Flamenca y Más magazine and has spawned invitations to festivals and concert halls worldwide.
“Aurora [Los Aurora] is a magnificent first album, on which the Taller de Músics is rightly placing all its bets.” – DeFlamenco
Produced with the support of Enric Palomar, Berlin-based composer who specializes in the fusion of contemporary music and flamenco, and the art director of Taller de Músics, where jazz and flamenco are the pillars of the teaching. It was clear that sooner or later, its students had to fuse these two genres. This is what has happened with Los Aurora
Pere Martínez, voice | Max Villavecchia, piano | Javi Garrabella, electric bass | Joan Carles Marí, drums | Pol Jimenez, dance
Los Aurora | Album: AURORA | ©2017 Taller de Músics | TMDM078
1. POLO | Manuel del Falla (1914)
2. ZORONGO| Federico García Lorca (1931)
3. ASTURIANA | Manuel de Falla (1914)
4. ANDA JALEO | Federico García Lorca (1931)
5. CÁNTIGAS DE ALFONSO X “EL SABIO” | Alfonso X “el Sabio” (1270)
6. OTRA | Felip Pedrell (1920)
7. FUEGO FATUO| Manuel de Falla(1914)
8 COPLA CARCELERA | Felip Pedrell (1920)
9. BAJO LLUVIA AJENA (Enric Palomar) | Publio Ovidio Nasón (1305)
10. LA LUNA ASOMA (Max Villavechia) | Federico García Lorca (1921-1924)
