Qairo (pronounced Cairo) is a fiery and dynamic ensemble that combines the emotionally charged vocals and pulsing rhythms of flamenco with the infectious melodies and ear-popping tonalities of the Mediterranean diaspora. From Spain to Turkey to India (with stops along the way), Qairo is music for dancing — no matter where you’re from. It’s Turkish micro-tones played on the saxophone, original flamenco verses “sung” by clarinet, Balkan rhythms punctuated by Andalucian guitar, and flamenco footwork pounded out like improvised jazz. Qairo is guitar, oud, clarinet, saxophone, cajon, electric bass, cante (flamenco song) and baile (flamenco dance) acting like they belong on stage together — and pulling it off.
The ensemble’s seven tight-knit and eclectic members hail from France, Spain, Canada and Turkey and make their home in Bordeaux, France. While most of the ensemble’s members are conservatory trained, their real inspiration comes from years spent playing and collaborating on the road, in Europe, the Balkans and the Middle East. Alejandro Mendia (Noces Gitanes) travelled across Romania and later Spain in search of the true gitano roots of flamenco singing. Dorian Zavatta (Noces Gitanes, Kalamna) was born into the famous Zavatta circus family and raised under the big top before finding music, travelling across Europe, the Balkans, Turkey and Iran in search of master musician mentors. Manuel Vazquez uprooted his life in France and made his way to Spain to study with the masters of the craft. Dorian, Alejandro and Manuel are joined by acclaimed Bordeaux bassist Thomas Boudé and percussionist Gaétan Diaz. Together, they have composed an album of entirely original songs that delivers a message of hope, love and longing inspired by folk tradition and infused with an eastern spiciness that will get you on your feet and dancing.
Accompanying the music are the ensemble’s two fiery dancers, Lia Grainger (Fin de Fiesta, Flamencolia Dance Company) and Deborah “La Caramelita” (Noces Gitanes, Fin de Fiesta, Nritya). The two women both trained in traditional flamenco for years in Spain’s Andalucia region, and now draw on a wide-range of creative influences — from pop and house to traditional Indian dance — to express Qairo’s stories in electrifying movement. Expect tight choreography, rapid-fire footwork, and a whole lot of jumpsuits.
The young ensemble released their debut single, “Rama Verde,” in Madrid on March 11, 2020, as the pandemic loomed, where it quickly garnered 35,000 downloads on Spotify. Travel restrictions have prevented Qairo from touring internationally – until now. The band looks forward to sharing an album’s worth of infectious new songs with audiences across Canada.
Check out their website: https://www.qairomusic.com/
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