WOMAD

Los Bajeros de la Montana

From Colombia

2002:Desde Colombia, Los Bajeros de la Montaña tocan la música de las montañas –los vientos atmosféricos, el torrente de ritmos y percusión, y la poderosa canción tradicional, tan reconocible y familiar para todos aquellos que aman la música sudamericana – música que puede ser oída a través del eco entre montañas, y viajando con el viento por los valles de la costa caribeña, hogar e inspiración de los cinco excepcionales músicos que son Los Bajeros. Han pasado mucho tiempo con los más antiguos músicos de Los Montes de María aprendiendo sobre la tierra y su música. Fredys Arrieta fundó Los Bajeros en 1983 acompañado del gaitero y cantante de renombre Jorge Aguilar. Juntos, comparten y reflejan a través de su música su gran amor por la naturaleza, su cultura y tradiciones.Biography supplied by management, 2002:La gaita, the flute from the indigeneous peoples of the Colombian Caribbean is an instrument with a profound, mystical sound. The gaitas combined with the powerful and hypnotic tambores of African origin creates a capivating spectacle.In Colombia the gaita is played in towns and villages on the Caribbean coast, the most well known of which in the gaita story is San Jacinto.In the 1940s the first group to record and perform the music internationally were Los Gaiteros de San Jacinto and their legend lives on today. Their love for the gaita and their distinct style of playing has inspired many young musicians of traditional music in Colombia. Los Bajeros de la Montaña were influenced by these great gaita players; musicians such as Juan and José Lara, Mañe Mendoza and Toño Fernández.Los Bajeros were founded in 1983 by Fredys Arrieta (gaita hembra) a young musician who spent much time in the mountains of his homeland Los Montes de Marîa with older musicians. In this world of campesinos he learnt about the earth, it’s plants and it’s music. Fredy is accompanied by Jorge Aguilar (gaita macho) from the region of Sucre, a singer and gaitero with a tipical vocal style of the area. He sings to the cattle, to nature and to women. Both men are infused with a love of their culture and traditions.The instrumentation of the Bajeros is: Gaita Hembra (female flute), gaita Macho (male flute), tambor hembra (male drum), llamador, bombo and maracas. The wood of the gaita is made of cacti or bamboo and the head is moulded in bees wax and vegetable carbon, the mouthpiece is made of duck or turkey reed. The gaita hembra plays the melody and solo lines whilst the gaita macho (the same musician plays the maracas with his other hand) accompanies on the rhythm.The Colombian Caribbean is an area with a rich cultural mix that combines elements from African, Native Indian and Spanish traditions. This an expression of a culture that has its origins in Africa (via the slaves brought to work in the Americas), Spain (through the influence of the invading colonists) and South America (from the indigenous Indian population).Fredys Arrieta and Jorge Aguilar have toured the world with Totó la Momposina, the well known Cantadora from Colombia. They are accompanied by other musician’s from Totó’s group: Marco Vinicio Oyaga, Eduardo Baena, Victor Medrano and Dario Castro.