Juan Saiz — Tañedor (self-released, 2026)
Spanish musician Juan Saiz has released Tañedor, a new album that explores the traditional music of Cantabria (northern Spain) through a contemporary artistic perspective. The self-released project incorporates regional forms such as tonadas, jotas, ligeros, and other folk traditions. Essentially, Saiz combines historical research, field collection, and reinterpretation of the original repertoire.
The album is Saiz’s seventh release as a bandleader and reflects a deeply personal connection to the music of his native Cantabria. “This is the music I grew up with and felt I owed a complete project,” Saiz said. The album is a direct link to his childhood and his earliest experiences as a musician.
Although rooted in traditional music, Tañedor also reflects Saiz’s background in jazz, improvisation, and contemporary classical music. His original arrangements combine acoustic instruments with carefully integrated electronic elements, creating a fascinating, innovative, and refreshing sound that honors the source material. Every stage of the production, from the arrangements to the final recording, took place in the artist’s own studio, where he oversaw the entire creative process.
Saiz approaches folk music as a living tradition capable of evolving. The project aligns with a growing movement in world music that revisits regional musical heritage through contemporary composition and production. Although Saiz is a well-known jazz saxophonist, here he excels at playing the bagpipes and the flutes.
The album will not be available on streaming platforms. Instead, Saiz has chosen a distribution model that encourages deliberate listening and reflects the handcrafted nature of the project. Physical editions are available through his official website for the cost of shipping, while digital downloads can be purchased exclusively on Bandcamp.
To coincide with the album’s release, Saiz released the traditional Cantabrian song “El Trepeletré” as a digital single. The piece, known for its vocal, dance, and tarrañuelas (castanet) traditions, follows the earlier preview tracks “Sed de Jotas” and “Los Zapatos Rotos y los Puerros de Voto,” both accompanied by official music videos.
The repertoire reflects a wide range of traditional sources. Some songs originated from oral tradition passed down within local communities, while others were collected through fieldwork or inspired by personal and family memories. Several pieces pay tribute to musicians and cultural figures who helped preserve Cantabrian musical traditions.
Musicologist Esteban Sanz Vélez places Tañedor within a long history of dialogue between folk traditions and art music. His accompanying essay argues that the album brings together three interconnected traditions: oral folklore, cultivated musical stylization, and the revivalist spirit of 20th-century folk music.
Tañedor continues the career of one of Spain’s leading contemporary jazz musicians. Saiz became the first Spanish artist to release music through Leo Records, while his album Pindio II earned recognition from Spanish media. His career also includes appearances in AIE Jazz en Ruta (2023) and SGAE Jazzeñe (2024), as well as performances at international festivals including the San Sebastián Jazz Festival, Südtirol Jazz Festival, Vitoria-Gasteiz Jazz Festival, and Madrid Jazz Festival.
Musicians: Soltxu on vocals and pandereta (Spanish tambourine); Vanesa Fernández on vocals and pandereta; Cristina Ceballos on vocals; Jaime Velasco on guitar; Nacho Miralles on drums and percussion; Mario Capodicasa on electric bass; Sergio Di Finizio on bass; Antonio Romero on electric and acoustic bass; Esther Terán on vocals; and Juan Saiz, arrangements, sax, flute, bagpipe, keyboards.
Buy Tañedor.
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.