Carlos Nunez in Concert!

add to outlook add to google calendar remind me

Wednesday, September 24th, 2014
7:30 PM

Spanish sensation and platinum-selling artist Carlos N��ez is nothing less than a rock star. The U.K.�s Guardian newspaper described his genius as �pipe music as if played by a Coltrane or a Hendrix.� For the first time this September, N��ez brings his wild energy and musical virtuosity on the Galician bagpipes to Canada�s West Coast. For a glimpse of N��ez�s style, check out http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bnue7GTW1bk.

�Carlos N��ez is an astonishing performer who brings together Celtic music traditions from all over the world,� says Carolyn Phillips-Cusson, director of Celtic Performing Arts and CeltFest Vancouver Island, sponsors of the shows. �After seeing him on Canada�s East Coast and in Europe dazzling and captivating huge audiences � what a thrill it is for us to finally bring him to the West Coast! It is truly an honour.�

N��ez was born in 1971 in the port city of Vigo, Spain, and began playing the Galician bagpipes, or �gaita,� at the age of eight. Renowned for his charismatic interpretations of traditional music, he sees the various forms of Celtic music as a brotherhood that brings people together beyond languages and frontiers. His tunes are inspired by those of the ancient Celts who occupied Galicia 2,500 years ago as well as the Celtic traditions of Brittany, Scotland, and Ireland. His work is also influenced by other countries where Galicians have settled, including Cuba and Brazil.

The gaita is thought to pre-date the Scottish bagpipes and Ireland�s uilleann pipes. Among aficionados, N��ez is as renowned for his prowess on the gaita as Jack White is for his guitar work. He�s also a master of the recorder, the pennywhistle, the ocarina, assorted pipes, a Breton oboe called the �bombarde,� Breton bagpipes, the Jew�s harp, the tin whistle and the flute.

In Nanaimo, Champion Highland pipers James P. Troy and Ren� Cusson; former World Champion Highland Dancer, Ross Armour; plus members of the Glengarry and O'Connor-O'Brien Schools of dance, will accompany N��ez during his performance.