Miguel Afonso

Over the last several decades, the traditional music of the Canary Islands developed under the guidance of legendary groups such as Las Sabandenos, Los Gofiones and Mestisay. More recently, a new generation of artists working on a national level in Spain - like Kepa Junkera and Carlos Nunez - have invigorated their own regional traditions by exploring shared roots with Celtic and French traditions. In the Canary Islands, these trends have opened new frontiers, especially for instrumental music. This has played an important part in refreshing appreciation of the accordion, known locally as el forito. In fact, the accordion was a particularly popular instrument on all the islands of the archipelago at traditional house dances known as bailes de candil. In this vein, accordionist Miguel Afonso has committed himself to the movement intended to heighten respect for the connection between musical roots and cultural identity.

Afonso first picked up an accordion when he was eight years old. His passion for the instrument was inspired by his mother, who had been forbidden to play the instrument when she was herself a child. There were few opportunities to learn the instrument as accordion music was largely associated with taverns and behavior considered inappropriate for women. As a youth, Afonso was determined to master the instrument, turning to European trained musicians as teachers while absorbing the traditional tunes and folk melodies of Isleno culture whenever he could. As an adult, Afonso has become a driving force promoting the accordion and folk music of Gran Canaria by performing as accordionist with a variety of ensembles and serving as artistic director of the Canary Islands Folk Festival. He creates elaborate theatrical productions that celebrate the culture of the Canary Islands with a mix of traditional music, dance, and dramatic performance. With his own ensemble, Afonso has recorded four albums interpreting Gran Canaria folk music, his repetoire of aires convey the rhythm and flow of island life. Along with a traditional ensemble including timple, guitar, flute, and percussion, Miguel Afonso's music elevates Isleno music to new heights while remaining firmly rooted in tradition.