Since 1984 Biella Nuei have been studying, recovering, expanding and popularizing traditional music from Aragon, a region situated in the north of Spain, below the Central Pyrenees.
Aragon’s mostly unknown musical heritage is rich and diverse. The band uses unique instruments such as the salterio (a string-drum), chiflo (a three hole flute), the gaita de boto (large bagpipe) and the Aragonese dulzaina (traditional pipe), numerous percussion instruments; tunes and rhythms such as fandangos, rumbas, dances (ritual dances), romances, and polkas.
To this musical base, Biella Nuei added other instruments such as the diatonic accordion, lutes, darbukas and tevilats (Arabic drums), the cajon flamenco and the contrabass in order to recreate ancient traditional tunes or simply create new melodies and harmonies.
“Besides two albums on our own (Las aves y las flores and Solombra) which include part of our live repertory, we have taken on a wide and fruitful ethno-musical research work in our region. Eight record-and-books documenting, preserving and spreading part of Aragon’s rich heritage have already been published as a result of our work.
We make also traditional instruments in our workshop, organize courses on music and pedagogical concerts; we publish records and books in this domain and counsel many Ethnographical Centers… Three members of Biella Nuei are teaching at Saragossa Folklore School.”
To date we have already given hundreds of performances throughout Spain, France, Italy and Germany. Along with our own pieces, we present a personal revision of our traditional music while incorporating elements and resonances of other musical roots.
We have presented many successful shows, like Flamenco Norte, which we crafted by blending the music of Aragon with music and songs from the Gypsy tradition, along with other Arabic influences and also with those of flamenco.
For the purposes of research, in 1988, we founded the Archives of the Oral Traditions of Aragon, the main documented resource of the oral traditions specific to the Aragon’s people. The work of our studies, archives and publications are reflected in nine CD-books.
Discography:
Las Aves y las Flores (1994)
Solombra (Coda Out, 1997)
Sol d’ibierno (2006)
Al Natural (2007)
Biella Nuei & Azawan, Romper el muro
Biella Nuei & La Fraternité (2011)
Biella Nuei y los Bufacalibos, Oyendo crecer la Hierba (2011)
Biella Nuei y La Santa Pereza (2013)
Author: Angel Romero
Angel Romero y Ruiz has dedicated his life to musical exploration. His efforts included the creation of two online portals, worldmusiccentral.org and musicasdelmundo.com. In addition, Angel is the co-founder of the Transglobal World Music Chart, a panel of world music DJs and writers that celebrates global sounds. Furthermore, he delved into the record business, producing world music studio albums and compilations. His works have appeared on Alula Records, Ellipsis Arts, Indígena Records and Music of the World.