Artist

Ruper Ordorika

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The traditional songs of the Basque region of Spain are given modern interpretations by singer and composer Ruper Ordorika. His songs, co-written with lyricist Bernardo Atxago, successfully bridge traditional music and Western rock and blues influences. A native of Onate, Spain, Ordorika moved with his family to Vitoria at the age of 12. While there, he became enchanted by the music played by the city's many rock bands. Returning to his Onate after two years, he became increasingly drawn to traditional music. While attending the University of Balboa, he began writing with Atxago.

While his debut album, Hauta Da Anphora, released in 1980, took a sparse approach with his acoustic guitar supplying the accompaniment for his vocals, Ordorika veered towards an acoustic/electric band sound with his second effort, Ni Ez Norugako Errege, in 1983.

After living in London for a couple of years, Ordorika returned to the Basque region to record his third album, Bihotzerreak, in 1985. Together with diatonic accordion player Joseph Tapia and mandolin and acoustic guitar player Bixente Martinez recorded an album of traditional tunes, Hiru Truku, in 1994. The project was continued, four years later, with the album, Hiru Truku II.

Ordorika joined with three New York-based improvisatory musicians to record Dablien Harria in 1998. ~ Craig Harris, Rovi

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