The Biel Ballester Trio, at the Centre Cívic Navas

Over the next few months the Centre Cívic Navas will be offering a series of concerts embracing the motto "Viu la Música", with the idea of presenting a variety of musical styles and ways of experiencing music. The first date is with The Biel Ballester Trio, a highly acclaimed gypsy jazz formation, or 'jazz manouche' as this genre is known in France, with elements of traditional Mediterranean music and American jazz. 

 

The trio was founded in Barcelona and is headed by the Mallorcan guitar soloist who lends his name to the group. They were chosen to provide the soundtrack for Vicky Cristina Barcelona when director Woody Allen, also a jazz enthusiast and instrumentalist, became enthralled by the project and said, after sitting in with them, "It's the closest I have ever come to playing with Django Reinhardt."

 

Leo Hipahucha and Graci Pedro complete the line up on bass and rhythm guitar respectively. Their latest recording, Avanti!, was released less than a year ago.