Héctor Braga

Singer & Multiinstrumentalist from Asturies (North Spain). His musical projects, both individually and in band setting are an icon of the celtic and medieval footprint in Asturian culture and an example of universal musical excellence. His artistic accolades start in his infancy. Being 6 years old he already played in a local string band and he shortly started his academic musical education (which he finished with honours). At 15 he is invited to record as a soloist for the Orquesta del Nalón and, at 20, Radio Nacional de España broadcasts his first symphonic opus, “Alborá”, as part of the Día Internacional de la Música program. He completed superior cello studies (Conservatorio de Oviedo) and holds a degree in ethnomusicology (Conservatorio de Salamanca) and a masters degree in Musics and Media (Universidad de Oviedo). But Héctor is also a musician with strong traditional roots, able to research his ancestors musical heritage and make it evolving towards the future. He was brought up among the oral tradition of free singing, the asturianada, among the historical singers of his native valley in the mining riverbanks of the Nalón. Today, he is considered one of the best voices in the genre. He is also an excellent performer playing harp, bagpipes, hurdy-gurdy or violin, among other instruments: his virtuosity is backed up by numerous awards and honorific mentions in international competitions, as well as 7 consecutive nominations as Best Instrumentalist in Asturias (AMAS awards). The extraordinary combination of voice and instruments is his personal stamp, his radio and TV appearances gave him great popularity in his homeland. In his discography, his research work is collected in albums like “Encoplando” (2004) or “Trad.ye” (2008), which won the best CD of asturianada of the year critics award RTPA. At the same time he published other works like "Caminos del Mundu" (best Asturian folk CD of the year critics award RTPA 2010) with more open ideas, approaching folk-rock and popular music. His talents and skills have allowed him to become an artist of renown, a communicator who exudes energy and charisma in his concerts. Musician, ethnomuscologyst, composer… Hector Braga’s music is built over that of his ancestors, traveling from the local to the global, visiting venues all over the world in the folk music worldwide scene.