video credit: Felix Vazquez for Flamenco Biënnal Nederland
“Melancholic sounds from Al-Andaluz and energetic rhythms from Africa in surprising contemporary compositions”
“Flamenco Criollo becomes a musical ecumenical service where genres come together beautifully”
Photo credit: Andrea Mazzoni
The sound of history
Africa, Spain, and Cuba meet in an adventurous mix of flamenco and dazzling Afro-Cuban rhythms. In 2021, at the request of the Flamenco Biënniale Nederland in co-production with November music, Cuban pianist, director, and composer Aruán Ortiz gathered a unique ensemble in order to investigate the roots of flamenco. The result is a collaboration between 11 musicians from Cuba, Morroco, Palestine, and Spain, combining a suite of original 17th and 18th century Moorish melodies that travel via Spain to colonial Cuba and back to the Iberian peninsula full of new rhythms.
Flamenco Criollo was a commission of the 2021 Flamenco Biënnale Nederland and debuted at the premier performance of the to a full house and a standing ovation. The group went on to wildly successful reception at seven Dutch and Belgian cities during the festival tour.
How it all began
video credit: Felix Vazquez for Flamenco Biënnal Nederland
composer and artistic directoR arUÁn Ortiz invites you to meet the artists
Flamenco Criollo Ensemble is integrated by deeply knowledgable instrumentalists, singers, and dancers from Cuba, Morocco, Palestine, the U.S., and Spain who have come together to bring to life an innovative, powerful, and worldly new musical language.
Video still credit: Felix Vazquez for Flamenco Biënnal Nederland
Contact Us
For Booking in Europe (other inquiries please fill out the form above):
Alberto Lofoco, Akamu Sas
via Eleonora Duse, 9
40127 Bologna ITALY
alberto@akamu.net