The group, consisting of musicians such as Daniel Méndez and Jallal Chekkara,
débuts at Seville's Alameda Theater on April 23rd, 2004

Flamenco-world.com, April 2004

Eight young flamenco artists fond of risk join forces in a novel project taking the name Harmattan, like a desert wind. Most of them are members of the troupe of bailaora Ángeles Gabaldón's company, among them, guitarist Daniel Méndez, Moroccan musician and cantaor Jallal Chekkara and English bailaora Nicolia Morris. Guitar, violin, lute, percussion, cello, bass, keyboards, cante and baile melt together "to scout around the borders of flamenco". Harmattan speaks of fusion and mestization without keeping any secrets. The premiere of this proposal, which seeks the freshness of improvisation, will take place on April 23rd, 2004 at Seville's Alameda Theater. And from there, to the world.

Jallal Chakkara (Photo: Daniel Muñoz)

The music from 'Inmigración' ('Immigration') by Ángeles Gabaldón already provides a clue of where Harmattan is going. The new mestizo flamenco group, produced by Taller Flamenco and Booking Flamenco, links up melodic and musical North African contributions with flamenco of all styles, without giving up other musical influences. Cante and guitar are framed in a plural musical universe, with baile put at its service. And the thing is that the project is defined as "a live music workshop" that speaks about risk, freedom, surprise.

The group is headed by guitarist Daniel Méndez, a musician native to Morón who is currently a member of the Antonio Canales Company and who composed a great deal of the music from 'Inmigración'. Also on guitar will be Óscar Lago, the Cádiz-born musician who has worked accompanying artists of the likes of Adrián Galia, Miguel Poveda and Javier Latorre. The company's other pillar is Jallal Chekkara, a descendant of a family of musicians from Tetouan (Morocco) now headed by his uncle Abdessadak Chekkara, conductor and founder of the Chekkara Orchestra of Tetouan. This musician plays the violin and the lute, composes, investigates 'nubas' (orally-transmitted musical compositions) and works as a cantaor, showing the proximity of the Strait of Gibraltar's two shores.

	Felipe Mato (Photo: Daniel Muñoz)

The 'group' is completely, musically, with Sevillian percussionist Antonio Montiel, on whose résumé collaborations stand out with the Andalusian Dance Company, Eva Yerbabuena and Andrés Marín. David Palomar takes care of cante and Ángel Morilla does the same with instruments such as the cello, bass and keyboards.

To be responsible for providing touches of movement to all this music is Felipe Mato, a Sevillian bailaor who has excelled in the companies of Mario Maya and Ángeles Gabaldón. By his side as guest artist will be Nicolia Morris, a black London-born bailaora who has taken part in flamenco shows such as 'La metamorfosis' ('The Metamorphosis') by Israel Galván and 'Inmigración' by Ángeles Gabaldón.

Harmattan is going to be presented in public for the first time on Friday, April 23rd, 2004 at Seville's Alameda Theater. The performance will close the University of Seville's 'El flamenco que viene' ('The Flamenco to Come') series, with a bill on which guitarist Diego de Morón, cantaora Carmen Grilo and pianist Sergio Monroy also stand out. The group is already preparing upcoming international presentations.

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