About Me
Born in Madrid.He began to play guitar in 1971 & same year joined "Folk III", playing flute, harmónica, mandolin & Banjo. "Nuevo Sentir" & "Shalom" were de initial names of the group, looking to the old & long spanish sephardic tradition & playing some sephardic themes as "Abridme Galanica".Fourteen components joined for First concert in October 28th 1971 at 16th Cadarso street MAD. the 31 were only Eleven at the 14th same street. The 3th was very special for us: We played in a Concet Hall near "Tres Cantos" in Madrid. It be the 1th Open Show for prisoners in Spain from Civil War end (I remember it today, apr 16th 2008, Thanks, Eduardo to make my know). An incredible group in that time "Nuestro Pequeño Mundo" , and the little big italian showman "Torrebruno" were also there, to brighten the dark life inside jails.Finally the group was composed by Pepe Plaza on upright bass, the incredible singer Julia , the wonderfull voice of the group in "For Baby" filling all the scene, also 3 marvelous voices: Maria Jesus, Angeles Afuera & Alex Ortega. On the guitar Eduardo Lalanda (also lute), Antonio Almoguera, Angel Matesanz as writted beforeThen, many more concerts & contest arrived. Recorded a Jingle for Radio Program "En Carretera". Components were: Angeles Afuera & Antonio Almoguera, Eduardo Lalanda, Angel MatesanzIn 1973 started to play Old-time banjo. In September with the group Flok III they finish in 2nd place in "I Festival Folk de Tablas de Daimiel" Also they got 2nd in "La Boite Contest", Madrid.
Then they knew a great Bassist, Dave Thomas, theacher of the excellent music Miguel Angel Chastang, playing together several times.In December 1973 Eduardo, Alex & Angel worked for SOAP company, playing in Schools & collecting its 1st salary as musician ¡¡¡500 pesetas each session!!!Then (1974) took part of "Country Pie" with Angeles Afuera (mandolin & vocals), Antonio Almoguera (guitar & vocals) (Folk III components), Jose Lozano (composer, guitar & vocals) & Angel on Banjo, upright bass, mandolin & harmonica. They were asiduous musicians on "Top Less Club" stage (& learning every night how to fill a glass of water with de fantastic Tip y Coll comic duo). Now I know how not to fill a glass.The United States Emmbassy "Wassington Irving Liibrary" was other of the places where they played on this time.Subsequently the group was called "Langleik", with Angeles, Jose, Gabriel, Rosa, Arturo, Gregory Salazar (fidde) & Angel: Some time Fredy Marugan were with us "on stage"
A SEAT 600 3 meters car was the transport for all the instrumental equipment on this time. At the same time we got place inside 1 mandolin, 1 banjo, 2 guitars, 1 upright bass & four people.In 1974, began to play with "The Great" Fredi Marugan, playing with "Allegro Vivace" 3 or 4 times. Both groups disapeared in 1975. Then, both banjo players joined with the idea to form a Bluegrass Group, preparing arrengements with mandolin, guitar, banjo, doublebass, recording in "Josue Produtions" House (never edited), broadcasted in Radio Madrid, Radio España & Radio Popular.At the same time (1976) "Milan & Bibiloni" recorded 1st LP. M&M contacted with M&B in Madrid begining a long friendship & Jamming in Madrid University Colleges San Juan Evangelista, Chaminade, Pio XII & Juan XXIII.From 1977 to 1983 resides between Madrid and Mallorca joining Milán & Bibiloni basically with banjo, bass & harmonica.In october born "Rodeo" (1977-1980), the first only bluegrass music group in Madrid. (My respects to pioneers "Nuestro pequeño Mundo" & "Caldero de Cobre"). Arturo Marugan on Dobro, Fredi on Banjo, Gabriel Arteche (N.P.M.) on bass, Raimundo Nieto on Guitar, Angel on mandolin.Later joined Goyo de Vicente on Guitar, Fermin Aldaz on Fiddle, Jose Conejos replacing Gabriel on Bass making some "seldon scene" appearances (just 2 times on stage) The result is a 6 pieces record, never edited also. There is some homemade copy.Sumertimes banjo & other instrumental grass (spanish joke) , Wintertime mandolin. In Mallorca plays in a semiprofesional period, every week in the wide known "Guitar Centre" & National festivals such Selva Rock, Festa Mediterránea, Alcudia Rock with M&B, Kevin Ayers...1977: Also play at Guitar Center with anthony & Cecilia British duo And Ernie Woisky on Wass bass.1978: Cooperates in Daevid Allen (Ex Shoft Machine & Zebra) "non existent" Charly Records LP entitled N'Existe Pas", "unplaying" a Psicodelic Rock music banjo piece.1979: In Madrid, Teaching/learning banjo to/from Fredi Casado (the best way to teach & to learn) in "Kentucky Discos Shop" Jam sessions with the collaboration of some of the best actual bluegrass musics in Madrid. Fredy casado replaced Angel at the banjo in Langleik, while Angel played mandolin, as well as harmonica and bass.1981: Produces with Joan Bibiloni & Miguel Angel Sancho "Joana Lluna", First record of Joan, playing mandolin in "Flors Musties Dins un Palau", Vicenç Borras - flute. Daniel Lagarde on Bass, Jorge Pardo Saxo, Flute & picolo, Wally Fraza- percussion; Miquel Figuerola - Drums. that the begining od Blau Records.
Plays in Trui Jazz Club in duo with Joan Bibiloni. Vicenç joins to make a tour for North Spain.
With Langleik plays in Madrid high Schols & Valencia Arena.1982: All summer season plays in Villa Rio Jazz Club in a combo composed by Joan Bibiloni, Juan Carlos Mendoza-bass, Daniel Levi-drums & Fernando Gonzalez-guitar. Also plays in "Lilas Jazz Club" with Joan Bibiloni & Nando González.1983: The band "Ãngel Matesanz & his quartet de banjo Trio" was composed for ALvaro Porcel on Bass & Guitar, Nando Gonzalez, excelent Guitarrist and TV & Musicals actor also on mandolin and me on banjo mandolin harmonica & upright bass. Sometimes also joins us Pepe Milan.
That summer ares guest star on John Cale & Kevin Allers concert in Alcudia Arena.1984: The "Cuartet de banjo Trio", with Nando Gonzalez & Alvaro Porcel, gives Two Special Shows in Spanish TV Chanel II , playing 4 Foggy Mountain Breakdown solos: banjo, harmonica, mandolin and doublebass. Plays Accompained on de bass as guest artist with Andre Bockestin in Jazz Clubs and local Parties.He absolutely leaves the music and the private practice until november 2006.
After he contacts Juan Jimenez in bluegrass-spain web cheering to continue his work with bluegras and recovers the practice with mandolin and harmonica. Homemade "Japan" video (june 2007) 7th month after dusting mandolin is the result of his work.My greatest illusion now is to be again on stage soon. May be Al Ras? Would be wonderful for me.To be continued, I hope....
