The singing of Zuberoa has always been distinctive, and now we have a chance to be treated to this as a quartet of Zuberoa singers make a tour in California summer 2010.

ZER | What: Concert of Zuberoa songs by
JEAN BORDAXAR, JEAN NOËL PINQUE, JEAN PIERRE LURO, ROBERT LARRANDABURU

NOIZ/NON | When/Where:
San Francisco:  Saturday, August 28, 2010 www.sfbcc.us
Chino:  Saturday, Sept. 4, 2010  www.chinobasqueclub.us

As we travel eastwards heading towards Zuberoa, we gain a growing sense that we are approaching an ongoing, stimulating secret. The terrain itself is stunning for the eye as well as for the soul: its mountains like Orhi, Auñamendi, Ahüzki..., its enigmatic valleys, the image of its trees magic and strong in equal measure, its streams flowing down from the mountain passes full of vitality, and  the transparent water of its rivers, nature close at hand, the fount of life... Once we are in the midst of it all, we become aware of a peaceful spirit full of constancy, the strongest and most secure reserve of its tradition: song.

Jean Bordaxar, Jean Noel Pinque, Jean Pierre Luro and Robert Larrandaburu, the singers of Zuberoa (Soule) spread the rich and deeply rooted image of Zuberoa as they bear the importance of transmitting tradition in their blood and in their throats.

As we look at this new disc, many values and talents need to be highlighted:

• Some new songs composed by Jean Bordaxar himself are presented while respecting the traditional song at all times.
•  Even if the creation is new and up-to-date, it mixes well with the traditional songs, and it is clear that it shares the same instinct.
• The new harmonization of the old songs merely enriches their personality.
• The sound of the disc is heard live, recorded on 12 December 2009 at the Sutegi Auditorio in Usurbil. Almost without being based on any studio technology, the result of the Zuberoan quartet comes through naturally,  full  of  expression  and  strength.  The  authenticity  of  the recording reveals their direct and heartfelt way of singing.
• The greatest distinctive feature could be the idea of polyphony. When singing without instrumental accompaniment the quality of the singers' voices is clear. There are four soloists on this disc. Singing in four voices in traditional unaccompanied songs is not very common. It requires a tremendous amount of preparation and rehearsal work. The effort made in this disc to get the high, low and middle voices to combine and marry well has benefited the spirit of the songs of this repertoire.

Jean-Pierre Luro, Jean Bordaxar, Robert Larrandaburu & Jean-Noel Pinque

Jean Bordaxar is the director of the group and composer of all the new songs; he also wrote the harmonies of the repertoire that the group performs live. Born in Arrokiaga in 1959, he now lives in Maule, has participated in six pageants as actor or dancer, and has also written two complete pageants. The Telesforo Monzon pageant (to be performed in Larraine in 2011) and the Jose Mendiague pageant (to be put on in Arrokiaga in 2012). He has written the songs for as many other pageants (Sohuta, Maule, Arrokiaga, Barkoxe), and for other shows as well (Aitzina Pika, Aidez Aire, Nola bizi hala kanta…); likewise, he has been a member of many music groups (Kantiruki, Kriolinak…).

Today, he is also active in several of Zuberoa's cultural associations (Aitzindariak, Sohütako Ikastola–Basque language school...). So far he has recorded two discs: Adiskideer (1999), Aitzina (2003). This is his third, the concert with the quartet recorded live in Usurbil. He also teaches Zuberoan dances and leaps every week at the Urrats Berriak association in Maule.

He and the other members of the group started singing together live in 1998, and as time went by they established a new model and intrinsic stamp for the future of Zuberoan song; one may rest assured that the culture of Zuberoa will also be strengthened through the creation, transmission and strength of its songs.