Artist Bio:
Xuacu Amieva is a well known figure on the traditional Asturian music scene. His long career as a piper, piping teacher and player of various instruments in various folk groups has given him a considerable reputation inside and outside Asturias. His repertoire includes a wide range of songs and melodies from the Asturian tradition, not only for the pipes but also the rabel, hurdy-gurdy, flute or singing.
Xuacu Amieva was born in the Mazucu – Llanes (Asturias). His first contacts with traditional Asturian music were through his family. His mother was a tonada singer, and three of his uncles were pipers.
In 1974 he joined the folk group Urogallos, where he began his education and research into Asturian folklore.
In later years, he actively participated in ethnological research groups such as Raigañu(1976), new Urogallos(1980) and Andecha Folklor de Uvieu(1985). With these groups and on solo projects, he has carried out field work based on the recovery of melodies, dances an indigenous instruments (rabel or Asturian bandurria, hurdy-gurdy ,Jew's harp, flute, castanet and drums) using these instruments both in his studio recording and live concerts.
His first influences as a piper were Antón Menendez, Feliciano y el Margallu. Later he came into contact with Luis de Arnizo, Fariñas, Ignacio Noriega de San Roque, Honorino de Sotrondio, José Remis Ovalle, and Jose Veriña with whom he learned techniques and material.
In other instruments his teachers were David Caballín (rabel), Milio el Torneru y José el Xarreru (tambor), Francisco de la Viliella (xipra y tambor), Lin de Cangas de Narcea (trompa), Emilio el Torneru-hijo (tarrañuelas), Isabel and Concha de Trasmonte (pandeiru, pandereta and castañuelas vaqueiras).
At the same time as this training in various instruments and being influenced by folk music group from other countries, he co-founded the folk groups Beleño (1983) and Ubiña (1985), of which he was a member until it broke up in 1989. With these groups and as a soloist, he took part in several festivals and musical meetings in Asturias, the rest of Spain and the rest of Europe such as: Berlin Interceltic Festival (1980), Lorient Interceltic Festival (1986 y 1989), Folk Segovia (1986), Casale de Monferrato-Italy (1989), Folk Oviedo (1989), Hallein –Austria (1989).
In 1990 he formed the folk group which take his name. With this group he took part in the festivals of Quimper (1990), Reencontres Regionales de Sauveterre de Rourge (1990), 1º International Meeting of Musical Popular in Morazarzal-Madrid (1991), Expo de Sevilla (1992), VI Cycle of Traditional Music of Jerez (1994), Tour Eurofolkus-England (1995), Festival of Ennis-Irlanda (1997), Nava Interceltic Festival, Festival of Cabuerniga-Cantabria (1999) among others.
Xuacu Amieva was the recipient of the 1997 Grammy for the track "El Besu" from the record Santiago by the Irish group The Chieftains.—Courtesy Calabash Music
