Caamaño&Ameixeiras, a Spanish duo, manifests a profound affinity for music and dance. Comprising Sabela Caamaño, the chromatic accordionist, and Antía Ameixeiras, the violinist and vocalist, this alliance took shape in 2018. The two artists have swiftly garnered acclaim within the Galician region of northwestern Spain, their place of origin, as well as on the international stage. Predominantly instrumental, with a judicious incorporation of select vocal pieces, Caamaño&Ameixeiras finds its foundation in a living and ever-evolving tradition. From there, the duo crafts an individualistic language, replete with intimate compositions and arrangements that retain the essence of folk elements while embracing contemporary influences.
Their inaugural recording endeavor, titled Aire! (Air), produced by renowned Burgos musician Diego Galaz, boasts noteworthy collaborations with acclaimed artists such as Sílvia Pérez Cruz, Fetén Fetén, Abraham Cupeiro, Xavi Lozano, Carola Ortiz, Pablo Martín, Apel·les Carod, and El Pana. This opus was honored with the prestigious Martín Códax Music Award in the Folk category in 2021, as well as clinching the 1st Prize at Folkez Blai 2021, held in Ermua.
Sabela Caamaño
Born in Oza dos Ríos in 1990, Sabela Caamaño commenced her accordion studies at the tender age of seven. Throughout her musical journey, she has maintained a close association with the realm of traditional and popular Galician music, a pursuit complemented by extensive academic training. Possessing advanced degrees in Accordion, Musical Language Pedagogy, and Piano, she presently serves as an educator at the Professional Music Conservatory of A Coruña, while actively participating in diverse musical and artistic ventures.
As a pianist, her noteworthy accomplishment includes the recording of the soundtrack for Isabel Coixet’s film “Elisa e Marcela” in 2018. In her capacity as an accordionist, she has secured accolades in several national and international competitions, exemplified by a 2nd prize at the IV International Folk Instrument Festival Competition in Saint Petersburg, Russia; a 1st prize in the Junior Variety category at the 50th National Accordion Competition; and another 1st prize in the Junior category Varieté at the IV Iberian Accordion Trophy. Furthermore, she has honed her craft through attendance at courses and master classes conducted by illustrious performers such as Oleg Sharov, Anne Landa, Ángel Huidobro, Iñaki Alberdi, Aníbal Freire, Ángel Luis Castaño, Esteban Algora, Volodymyr Runchak, and Mika Väyrynen.
In addition to her involvement in the duo Caamaño&Ameixeiras, her most personal and distinctive endeavor, Sabela frequently collaborates with other musicians and is an integral part of the trio Quinta San Vitorio, along with Pedro Lamas and Sofía Portugal, as well as the Europejska Orkiestra, under the baton of Roberto Somoza.
Antía Ameixeiras
From the age of 5, Antía Ameixeiras demonstrated an ardent passion for her cultural heritage, embracing dance and tambourine classes in her hometown of Baio, situated in the Costa da Morte region. In 2010, she earned her diploma as a violinist from the Conservatory of Carballo. Later, during her time in Compostela while pursuing Audiovisual Communication studies, she embarked on a transformation from classical violin to traditional variants through her association with Central Folke.
Her musical education has been enriched by tutelage under cherished mentors, including Gutier Álvarez, Quim Farinha, Sofia Hogstadious, Michalis Kouloumis, and Kate Young, whom she encountered during a residency in Prague, fostering connections with fellow European musicians. Moreover, she undertook musical sojourns in Bulgaria to delve into the intricacies of traditional music. In 2017, her pursuit extended to the realm of modern music, commencing with studies at the Escola Estudio, and subsequently, the Stage d’improv at the Mydriase school in France, culminating in further exploration at the Taller de Músics in Barcelona.
Antía’s artistic journey has been punctuated by notable achievements, including the receipt of the Afundación Artistic Excellence Scholarship in 2015, which afforded her the opportunity to embark on a tour of the United States alongside Spanish piper Carlos Núñez, with whom she continues to collaborate. Antía has also been an integral part of various projects, including Carlos Saura’s film “La jota,” Carlos Núñez’s band, and the albums Tentemozo by Os Cempés, and Galiza by Kepa Junkera.
Notably, in 2016, Antía joined the historic ensemble Luar na Lubre as a violinist, contributing to two albums, namely, “XXX Aniversario de Luar na Lubre” and “Ribeira Sacra,” subsequently embarking on national and international tours that encompassed France, Belgium, the United Kingdom, Chile, the USA, Argentina, Uruguay, and Mexico. In 2019, she embarked on the recording of the maiden album with the world music trio Oîma, a formation that has garnered abundant recognition and awards. Antía Ameixeiras has graced the stage alongside renowned Celtic, world and early music composers and musicians such as Gustavo Santaolalla, Jordi Savall and Hespèrion XXI, Dan Ar Braz, Ceumar, and Uxía Senlle, further enriching her artistic progress.
Discography:
Aire! (Microscopi, 2021)
Author: Douglas Sanders
