
1995.-
The CAMUT BAND group was born out of the union of Rafael
and Lluís Méndez, outstanding choreographers
and tap dancers, and Toni Español, leader of
the African percussion and dance group Cae Ma Deila.
1996.- Dancing on drums with different sounds, the Méndez brothers together with Toni Español's Djembe created an original rhythmic score "Between Feet and Hands" with which they manage to dazzle the audience, their work being recognized by the Barcelona FAD Awards (Promotion of the Descriptive Arts Awards).
1997-1998.- CAMUT BAND fusion with the pianist and composer Jordi Sabatés , with whom they make a tribute to the genius Buster Keaton in the show "KEATONIANIA" which tours throughout Spain.
1999.- CAMUT BAND creates the show "LIFE IS RHYTHM" with the percussion dancer Guillem Alonso and the percussionist Jordi Satorra..
2000.- "LIFE IS RHYTHM" officially debuts in Barcelona with great success and is invited to the Edinburgh "Festival Fringe" obtaining five star reviews.
2001.- CAMUT BAND associates with the producer J.C.Subias and begins their international trajectory receiving the recognition of their artistic and creative talent by the press and the applause of the audiences from New York, Toronto, New Haven, Hamburg and Genova. At the end of this year CAMUT BAND extends their cast with the incorporation of the dancer and choreographer Sharon Lavi.
2002.- Parallel to their performances in Taiwan, Germany, Spain and the U.S.A. CAMUT BAND forms a second company with Josep Melendez, Jordi Grifell, Enric Torne, Ruben Sanchez, Nestor Busquets, and Pau Compte which debuts with "LIFE IS RHYTHM" in the "Caserta Festival" (Italy) and tours in Dubai and Italy.
2003.- CAMUT
BAND is invited by the "Teatro de la Tosse" of Genova to form part of the
creation of the show "NAVIGAZIONI" directed by Tonino Compte, which debuted
in Naples and journeyed to various Italian cities.
"LIFE IS RHYTHM" is invited by the "Grec Festival" of Barcelona and in
different social congresses in Morocco, Miami and Belgium.
"LIFE IS RHYTHM" returns to the Edinburgh Festival Fringe selling out the
tickets and newly obtaining five star reviews.
CAMUT BAND performs "LIFE IS RHYTHM" at the Lyric Theatre in London's West
End and tour in Germany, Austria and Denmark.
2004.- CAMUT BAND continue touring Germany and Spain and in december enters the New Apolo Theatre in Madrid.
2005.- After performing a season in Madrid and touring Holand “Life is Rhythm” is chosen to represent Spain in the “EXPO AICHI” (Japan) and also performs in Tokio. CAMUT BAND combines their performances with the creation of their new show called "KITING KITÁ" Walking with Rhythm, which makes its debut at the Edinburgh Festival Fringe 2005 with great success.
Currently
CAMUT
BAND are performing their three
shows "KITING KITÁ" Walking
with Rhythm, “LIFE IS RHYTHM” and “KEATONIANA”.
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LLUIS MENDEZ:
Author and composer of the musical comedies "Cocktail (1987) and "Lucio Manrini" (1991). Soloist percussion dancer in "Duke Ellington en Barcelona" with the "Ellingtonians" and the "Locomotora Negra", "The Ragtime Dance" with Jordi Sabates, "Lucio Manrini" with Xavier Roger and "The Bardelona Brothers" in the "Olimpiada Cultural". He was choreographer for the National theatre of Spain (Madrid) and the National Theatre of Catalunya (Barcelona) by invitation of the director Mario Gas in the musical shows "Frank V" and "Guys and Dolls", respectively. |
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| TONI ESPAÑOL:
After living a number of years in West Africa, Toni Español returned to Barcelona and formed the African dance and percussion group CAE MA DEILA, which brought ethnic rhythm and dance to Spain, being one of the pioneering importers of African culture. While still maintaining his commitment with his dance company, he worked as an actor with La Fura dels Baus in "Actions" and "Suz o Suz" and as a percussionist in "Tambours" with Françoise Lassus, "Circ Crac" with Tortell Poltrona, "Keatoniana" with Jordi Sabatés, "Percussion Encounters" with Jorge Sarraute. |
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RAFAEL
MENDEZ:
Author and director of the musical comedies "Cocktail" (1987) and "Barvaritats" (1997). Choreographer and percussion soloist dancer in the shows "Dancing" (prize for the best musical show in Mexico DF 1990 and Barcelona 1991), "Flor De Otoño" with Antonio Diez (Valencia), "Duke Ellington en Barcelona" with the "Ellingtonians", "The Ragtime Dance" with Jordi Sabates, "Piratas" with Dagoll Dagon, "Lucio Manrini" con Xavier Roger. He was a soloist dancer during two years in the "Lugo Taps Co" Paris (France). |
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| GUILLEM
ALONSO:
Guillem Alonso has worked as a tap dancer for a number of years in the best tap companies in the United States: American Tap Dance Orchestra, Manhattan Tap, New York Tap Collective, and Los Angeles Steps Ahead. He has been the soloist dancer with the Indianapolis Symphony Orchestra. In Barcelona he created the Barcelona Rhythm Tap company and organizes weekly "Tap Jams" at the "Cova del Drac". He was choreographer for the new "Scenic" theatre of Barcelona and dance soloist in the show "Fire Of The Dance" touring throughout Europe. |
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NÉSTOR BUSQUETS:
He studies at Drummers Collective Music School in New York and in 1994 he obtains the 10 week certificate program diploma. In 1998 records the Long Play “Messing Around” at Luz de Gas with group Second Line . In 2000 he records with Sol Lagarto’s at Areamaste, Vigo. He is also an experienced music master, and has taken part in “El Alcalde de Zalamea” as an actor, performing at Catalunya’s National Theatre, and The Classical Theatre. In the present he is a percussionist in Camut Band’s Company. |
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| JOSEP MELÉNDEZ:
Tap dancer at Swing 46 Jazz Club Jam Sessions, in New York, with Buster Brown and in Barcelona at the “Cova del Drac”, with Guillem Alonso. In 1999 he creates Trash Company with the drummer Nestor Busquets, having their première on 2000, with Trashtos. His last works are “Festa per la Pau”, a TV show with Camut Band, and “Visual Sonora”, a Multimedia Performance. Currently he takes part in Camut Band as dancer. |
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Tap
dancer in "Clack and Roll" and "Tapeplas", company
directed by Sharon Lavi. On 2003 and 2006 he is invited to the Tap City
Festival in New York. Beginning 2006 he takes part in the Djeelaba Groove
european company directed by Roxanne Butterfly.
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