Music with a Message!
Music with a Message!
The group varies in size from two upwards to eleven or more players. It all depends on the presenters needs and budget and location as we collaborate with artists from many places in the world.
See also Artists Bios.
A. Duo: Tarik & Julia
are multi-instrumentalists and frequently perform as an instrumental
duo. Many longtime fans say they like us best as a duo because
it encapsulates what al-Andalus is all about. We have played many
guitar festivals, concert series and folk festivals big and small
as a duo. We alternate solo and duet work andswitch off between
the oud, ney, darbuka, bendir, flamenco guitar & viola. While
our programs do change. Here is a sample program of something
we might do as a duo.
Adding more artists, singers, instrumentalists & dancers to the ensemble creates a richer pallette with which to paint.
B. Trio: Instrumental
duo + singer, singer/instrumentalist or with dance. [sample Trio
program]
C. Quartet: Instrumental duo
+ singer, singer/instrumentalist, dance.
2005: We are touring as a duo,
trio, quartet + quintet ensemble.
| Tarik Banzi
(oud, ney, percussion) [based in Morocco] |
Nourdinne Chekara (vocals, kamanja, percussion) [based in Morocco] |
| Julia Banzi (flamenco guitar, viola, percussion) [based in Morocco] | Virtudes Sanchez
(multi-lingual vocals) [based in Morocco] |
| Maria Jose Franco (Spain) Ana Montes and/or Zahra Banzi (dance) optional [based in USA |
Maria
Jose Franco: In
Spain, we have been collaborating with MaJose Franco. We will
add her bio in English very shortly.
This cooperation of a traditional
Jerezian gipsy familiy and the Moroccan/American formation Al-Andalus
is without a doubt one of the most successful fusion projects
of the last few years. The roots of flamenco music can actually
be traced back to early medieval Andalucia, where Moors, Jews
and Christians lived together peacefully and prosperously. As
a result, it is no wonder that quite a few flamenco musicians
have shown special interest in Arab music. Artists like El Lebrijano
and Segundo Falcón paid special attention to this subject
and both realized very successful projects.
Exceptional about this project
however is the fact that Al-Andalus as such already is an extraordinarily
multicultural concept.
Al-Andalus is an ensemble which, as the name says, focusses on
music that refers to Moorish Spain from the 8th to the 15th century.
Flamenco dancer Maria Jose Franco belongs to the contemporary young Andalucian elite. She particularly earned her traces alongside Antonio El Pipa, but has now been touring with her own company for quite some time. Flamenco dancer Luis Moneo belongs to the legendary Jerezian gipsy family of which his brothers Juan "El Torta" Moneo and Manuel Moneo are the best-known representatives. His son Juan Moneo is a guitar player, completely influenced by the Jerezian style , with a very virtuoso technique and especially an extremely intense perception.
The contrast between both can hardly be any bigger. Still, their Andalucian tour was one of that year's most successful undertaking. Maria Jose Franco & Al-Andalus are now coming towards the North for a limited series of concerts. This ensemble is both original and viruoso. But above all, they ensure an evening filled with heavenly music.
Bailaora desde muy temprana edad, nace en Cádiz y con tan sólo cinco años comienza a despuntar en este arte, se forma primeramente de la mano de profesores como Angelita Gómez y Manolo Marín, y más tarde en cursos especializados con grandes artistas como Carmen Cortés, Matilde Coral, El Güito, Manolete, La Yerbabuena, Antonio Canales, o Mario Maya, quien más tarde la requeriría para formar parte de su compañía y trabajar en La Expo 92 de Sevilla.Completa sus estudios de danza con la carrera de Ballet clásico y Danza Española por el Conservatorio Superior de Danza de Sevilla. Cómo recompensa a tan intenso estudio consigue alzarse con los premios "Jóvenes Aficionados al Flamenco celebrado en Huelva en dos ediciones consecutivas 1991/ 1992 en Barcelona en el Segundo concurso de Interpretación celebrado en el Tablao EL Cordobés en 1995, en Murcia el prestigioso Primer Premio del XXV Certamen del Festival de Las Minas en La Unión, también en 1995, primer premio de baile flamenco en la ciudad de Nimes (Francia), y logra ser finalista del concurso de jóvenes valores de la Bienal de Arte Flamenco de Sevilla en 1996.