Catrin Finch and Cimmarón (Cymru / Colombia) 2009 - 2010

The remarkable Catrin Finch was born in Llanon, Ceredigion, and is regarded as one of the world's leading players of the harp. Catrin is a phenomenal musician who is doing more than anyone else so far to put the harp on the global musical map. Born in 1980, Catrin’s rise to prominence started almost as soon as she plucked her first strings, and since being inspired at the age of five she has been delighting audiences worldwide. She was the Prince of Wales' Royal Harpist from 2000 to 2004, has recorded both solo and with leading artists such as Bryn Terfel, Sir James Galway, Julian Lloyd-Webber and Katherine Jenkins and has enjoyed huge classical crossover success, collaborating with fellow Welsh composer Karl Jenkins as well as working in a big band set-up under the name of CF47.

Cimarron are a seven-piece band drawn from the mestizo people, descendants of Spanish settlers, African slaves and Indigenous Indians, that inhabit the savannahs of the great Orinoco River in Colombia, and led by harpist and composer Carlos Rojas. This is cattle rearing country where life revolves around country ranches and music accompanies the daily working tasks such as milking and cattle drives. Most striking is the festive dance music called joropo, a fiercely virtuoso display of rippling melodies played on harp, bandola and cuatro accompanied by bass and maracas. This rapid and joyous music is sung with high pitched voices reminiscent of Andalusian gypsy roots. Cimarron seek to explore and experiment with their rich heritage whilst retaining the essence of the tradition.

Supported by the Welsh Assembly Government and the Arts Council Of Wales through the Arts Outside Cardiff Fund.