Accordian player and pianist make beautiful Basque music together in Boise

BOISE - Basque button accordion player Kepa Junkera, above left, is in Idaho working on a three-year project to record Basque music with musicians and singers from all over the world.

In Boise, he's recording with pianist Paul Tillotson, right, and singer Curtis Stigers, as well as bass player Rod Wray and drummer Spencer Martin from the Basque band Amuma Says No.

"Kepa is bringing Basque music and having American musicians interpret music in their own way," said Boise producer Gloria Totoricaguena. "Stigers and Tillotson grew up with Basque people; they know Basque culture and the Basques know them."

Junkera will give a free solo accordion concert at 7:30 p.m. Saturday at the Basque Center. "Indescribable," says Totoricaguena. "His accordion is his voice, his interpretation. It's a real lesson in artistry."


News and picture gathered from www.idahostatesman.com May 14,2010

KEPA JUNKERA LIVE in Boise ID.

Basque accordionist Kepa Junkera to perform in Boise on May 15th

Kepa Junkera is probably the best internationally known Basque musician in the world of Basque trikitixa diatonic accordion.

Grammy Award winning Basque accordionist Kepa Junkera will perform a free concert at the Basque Center this Saturday, May 15th, 2010, following the Mother's Day dinner.

Kepa Junkera is probably the best internationally known Basque musician in the world of Basque trikitixa diatonic accordion. Part of Junkera’s fame is his tendency to take traditional Basque music and give it a twist, creating something altogether new.

Beginning the instrument at a very young age, he was encouraged by his grandfather and his mother and Junkera quickly developed his own style. By 1983 he began playing with Oskorri, the leading Basque folk band of the day, performing and recording with them.

Kepa Junkera, from Busturia, Bizkaia, won his Grammy Award for Best Folk Album. He has two gold releases and won multiple international awards, bringing recognition to the Basque Country and appreciation to Basque music. He has recorded film soundtracks and 17 CDs and is finishing his latest CD featuring Boise musicians and singers.


Information from the eitb.com

www.kepajunkera.com