ZAMBALLARANA
Fresh winds from the „Island of Beauty“

Zamballarana are a group of young enthusiasts from Pigna, an idyllic little town in the mountains of Western Corsica, the wild and mysterious “Island of Beauty”. Founded in 1997 by Jérome Casalonga, the band gives the traditional island sounds a global touch, mixing them with other contemporary and mediterranean musical forms.

The blend of archaic male polyphony with elements of jazz, oriental and latin music as well as the innovative way of playing traditional Corsican instruments such as the 16-string Cetrea, the drum Colombu and the flute Pivana result in a hot and danceable mix of styles which raises the unique Corsican musical tradition to global standards. The humorous lyrics by Jérome Casalonga, François Mattei and Ghiacumu Thiers tell stories about life as it is – in the form of sentimental love ballads as well as sharp satires on modern society.

Line Up
Laurent Barbolosi – vocals, violin, trumpet, tres, banjo
Jérôme Casalonga – composition, lyrics, vocals, soprano sax, cueca, darbuka
Nicolas Debelle – bass
Anton’ Giulio Galeandro / Jérémy Lohier – accordion
Vincent Geraldi – drums, balafon
Jaques Nobili – composition, arrangements, trombone

Discography
2007 Camina (Casa Editions)
2004 Luna (Casa Editions)
1999 Lucia (Casa Editions)
1997 Zamballarana (Casa Editions)

Sound Samples
Sarà (4,82 MB)

Maganzia (2,60 MB)

Santu Sistemu (3,42 MB)

Press
„Finally something new from Corse! Jérome Casalonga is a radical innovator and blows with a fresh and very personal wind over the old songs of the Isalnd of Beauty.”
Télérama 1997

„Fresh and strong emotions!“
Le Monde de la Musique 2005

“This music is profane without pathos, fresh and full of enthusiasm. Bravo!“
Trad Magazine 2004

„A wonderful album – the perfect soundtrack for an island open for the influences of the world without losing the intergity of its own tradition.“
KUSP 88.9FM 1997

Website
www.zamballarana.com

Booking Contact
Sabina Schebrak, sabina@cultureworks.at
Booking outside France.