Music of the Canary Islands

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Music of Spain
Andalusia Aragon
Balearic Islands Basque Country
Canary Islands Castile, Madrid and Leon
Catalonia Extremadura
Galicia, Cantabria and Asturias Murcia
Navarre and La Rioja Valencia
Genres: Classical - Flamenco
Jazz - Folk - Hip hop - Opera - Pop - Rock
Timeline and Samples
Awards Amigo Awards
Charts AFYVE
Festivals Benidorm, Eurovision, Sonar
Media Fans, La Revista 40, Mundo Joven

The Canary Islands used to be inhabited by the Guanches which are related to Berbers; they mixed with Spaniards, who live on the islands now. A variant of Jota is popular, as is Latin music, which has left its mark in the form of the timple guitar. There has been a strong connection with Cuban music, both through commerce and migration.

Popular dances from the Canary Islands include:

  • Isas
  • Seguidillas
  • El Tajaraste
  • Baile del Candil
  • Baile de Cintas
  • Danza de Enanos
  • El Santo Domingo
  • El Tanganillo
  • Folias
  • Malagueñas

Of these, the Isas, a local variation of Jota are the most well-known and characteristic of the Canary Islands. They are graceful music, with a lot of variation among islands. In some places, a captain leads the dance and organizes others in a chain as the dance grows more and more complex.

Rondalla arrangements are very common. Instruments include charangas, timples (similar to a cavaquinho / ukulele), castanets, panderetas, lauds and guitars. A peculiar ensemble in El Hierro island is made of pito herreño players (a wooden transverse flute) and drums. Some ritual dances in Tenerife island are lead by a tabor pipe player. Joyful music for carnival lies to a big extent on brass bands and Latin American patterns.

[edit] Canarian musicians

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