Hevia (Spain)
Jose-Angel HEVIA is a recognised young master "gaiteru": a traditional bagpiper from the North Spanish region of Asturias. Possibly his most recognisable composition is the 1999 piece Busindre Reel, from his first album "Tierra de Nadie", published in more tha 40 countries, selling over 2 million copies.. He combined the traditional and folk sounds of his Asturian gaita bagpipe, with modern pop and techno beats. Hevia is known for helping invent a special brand of MIDI electronic bagpipes, which he is often seen playing live.
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He first came into contact with the bagpipes when he was four years old during a procession in Amandi when he was with his grandfather. It was there that the image of a man and his bagpipes had an impact on the very young Josè Angel. The unity between the pipe player, his music and the instrument seemed magical to him.
Hevia then began bagpipe classes. Three times a week, after school, he took the bus to Gijon. Armando Fernandez taught him in the traditional style and then accompanied him back to the bus. He arrived home at 12 o’clock at night and the following day practiced what he had learned in class so he hardly had time for other leisure activities. In the same year in which he began classes, he underwent a baptism of fire in sporadic performances with folk groups. His sister, Maria Josè, noticing that a drummer accompanied all bagpipe players, wanted to participate. One of the best drummers that Villaviciosa had, Sabino Cifuentes, agreed to tutor her in all the traditional rhythms, in his own house, with great patience. |
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At the end of class Hevia took his bagpipes and played songs so his sister could try to accompany him. All this often ended up in a huge rumpus when a pacifying “mother’s spanking” usually resolved the problem.
Shortly after, they began performing together throughout Asturias and travelling to different Asturian centres overseas.
In 1985 José Angel began to give classes and shortly after formed a bagpipe band with his pupils. Thus, without abandoning the traditional pair the badpipes and the drum, a new period in his life has begun. During this time, the bagpipes had suddenly become popular amongst young Asturians and music schools sprung up in a multitude of places. José Angel himself founded new schools in Villavicios, Candàs, Ribadesella and Mieres, out of which came new bagpipe bands.
During this time he also performed in various folk groups and collaborated in a variety of recordings. Meanwhile he was studying Spanish Philology at university but his real vocation continued to be music and the bagpipes.
In that same year he developed the midi-bagpipes. This initiative started by trying to solve the problem that all pipe players have when they are practicing at home; that of disturbing the neighbours. To this end, he and Albero Arias, one of his pupils who was a computer programmer, created a kind of plastic scale with the pulse buttons of a slot machine. This eventually became the midi-bagpipes, which in the wnd has become emblematic and indispensable in his work. Within this research team also worked the electronic technician Miguel Dopico.
In 1997 Josè Angel besan his career as a soloist. He recorded his first album “Tierra de Nadie” which was his first great success both on a national and international level. His album, backed by a world tour, was released in more than 40 countries and in many of which reached the first places in the hit parades. More than 2,000,000 albums were sold winning a multitude of gold and silver discs in countries as diverse ad Italy, Hungary, New Zealand, Belgium, Denmark and Portugal.
In 2000 he released his second album “Al Otro Lado – Al otru llau” with which he renewed his success visiting with his new tour some of the previos countries and discovering new ones.
He achieved his dream the following year, inaugurating a musical instruments factory in Guadarrama (www.arhpa.com), which he now manages alongside his music career.
In 2003 he released “Etnico ma non troppoo”, without a doubt a declaration of intent. In the musical language, it expresses the definition of Hevia’s music: “ethnic, but not overboard”.
With this work, his travels around the world did not cease for the following four years.
On 4th September 2007, he released “Obsession”, in which the composition is more evident and the orchestral arrangements play a larger role.
One song, “Luz de domingo”, filled with perhaps the most traditional sounds on the album, was chosen by Oscar winner director Jose Luis Garci, as the soundtrack for his movie of the same title.
Last summer Hevia collaborated with a popular italian band: Sonohra. He is present into the song "Si chiama libertà".
Shortly after, they began performing together throughout Asturias and travelling to different Asturian centres overseas.
In 1985 José Angel began to give classes and shortly after formed a bagpipe band with his pupils. Thus, without abandoning the traditional pair the badpipes and the drum, a new period in his life has begun. During this time, the bagpipes had suddenly become popular amongst young Asturians and music schools sprung up in a multitude of places. José Angel himself founded new schools in Villavicios, Candàs, Ribadesella and Mieres, out of which came new bagpipe bands.
During this time he also performed in various folk groups and collaborated in a variety of recordings. Meanwhile he was studying Spanish Philology at university but his real vocation continued to be music and the bagpipes.
In that same year he developed the midi-bagpipes. This initiative started by trying to solve the problem that all pipe players have when they are practicing at home; that of disturbing the neighbours. To this end, he and Albero Arias, one of his pupils who was a computer programmer, created a kind of plastic scale with the pulse buttons of a slot machine. This eventually became the midi-bagpipes, which in the wnd has become emblematic and indispensable in his work. Within this research team also worked the electronic technician Miguel Dopico.
In 1997 Josè Angel besan his career as a soloist. He recorded his first album “Tierra de Nadie” which was his first great success both on a national and international level. His album, backed by a world tour, was released in more than 40 countries and in many of which reached the first places in the hit parades. More than 2,000,000 albums were sold winning a multitude of gold and silver discs in countries as diverse ad Italy, Hungary, New Zealand, Belgium, Denmark and Portugal.
In 2000 he released his second album “Al Otro Lado – Al otru llau” with which he renewed his success visiting with his new tour some of the previos countries and discovering new ones.
He achieved his dream the following year, inaugurating a musical instruments factory in Guadarrama (www.arhpa.com), which he now manages alongside his music career.
In 2003 he released “Etnico ma non troppoo”, without a doubt a declaration of intent. In the musical language, it expresses the definition of Hevia’s music: “ethnic, but not overboard”.
With this work, his travels around the world did not cease for the following four years.
On 4th September 2007, he released “Obsession”, in which the composition is more evident and the orchestral arrangements play a larger role.
One song, “Luz de domingo”, filled with perhaps the most traditional sounds on the album, was chosen by Oscar winner director Jose Luis Garci, as the soundtrack for his movie of the same title.
Last summer Hevia collaborated with a popular italian band: Sonohra. He is present into the song "Si chiama libertà".
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Corso Matteotti, 67 – 36071 – Arzignano (VI)
Mobile +39 348 3046782 – P.IVA 03583220243