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This European flamenco duo’s recordings have garnered enthusiastic responses, with one reviewer effusively declaring that Teye is “Austin’s Paco de Lucia.†Multi-talented Belén dazzles with her cajón (wooden box drum) licks and with her precision footwork on the album, plus her flamboyant dancing in their live performances.The most remarkable quality of Teye & Belén’s flamenco performances—more than their spirit, attractiveness, or talent—is the extraordinary chemistry they share, a quality frequently remarked upon by new fans. Neither Teye nor Belén has gypsy blood, but the gypsy spirit certainly manifests in their never-ending quest to reach new audiences and experience new adventures.
Teye and Belén did not meet until they were adults, but their youthful histories share remarkable similarities. Both developed early and strong passions for music—honing in as youth on their future forms of artistic expression—and embarked on determined quests to achieve distinction in those fields.
As a young adult Teye traveled extensively around Spain, especially in the gypsy heartland of Andalusia, seeking out the greatest flamenco guitarists to learn from. His dedication earned Teye the extraordinary honor of being hired to play as the principal guitarist in a gypsy-owned tablao or club.
When Teye visited Austin in 1992, his friend Gary was teaching piano lessons to roots rocker Joe Ely’s daughter. Ely had become interested in flamenco and recently returned from his first visit to Spain. Gary introduced the two, and they clicked. Wanting to add Spanish flavor to his music, Ely invited Teye to join his band as featured guitarist. Thus began seven years of touring and recording with Joe Ely all over Europe and the U.S.
As enjoyable as serving as Joe Ely’s guitarist was, Teye always wanted to play authentic flamenco at the end of the night. Teye & Belén honed their flamenco duo and begin performing and teaching. A few years later, Teye left Ely’s band to concentrate on flamenco and collaborating with Belén.
Belén’s unwavering desire to create percussive sounds now fuses with Teye’s singular guitar playing in riveting performances that have captivated audiences from authentic and intimate tablaos to major international festivals, including the Uit-Festival in Amsterdam, Festival México del Centro Histórico, Festivalissimo in Montreal, the Spanish Festival in Özgür Park Üsküdar in Istanbul, and WOMEX/Feria Mundial del Flamenco in Sevilla.