BIOGRAPHY
Xahu (clean, pure in Basque). The reunion of four Basque musicians ends up consolidating in this new project, which arises from the desire to create music among friends.
In their live performances they always express themselves in a free, elegant and warm atmosphere of complicity. Their music, composed of original pieces, delves into different musical styles and their most personal experiences, resulting in a wide and intimate repertoire.
Their performances have reaffirmed this group, becoming the house band of the Hacería Jazz Club in Bilbao between 2018 and 2019 and participating in well-known festivals such as Heineken Jazzaldia (San Sebastián), Jazzez Blai (Deba), Munijazz (Munilla), La Noche Encendida (Villalacre), in the jazz circuits organized by the Bilbao association Jazzon or in multiple venues of the Basque Country.
After a break due to the pandemic, Xahu decided to take up their activity by publishing and performing live their debut album Gero Gerokoak.
MEET THE BAND
Josu Salegi
Alto Saxophone
Born in Deba (Guipuzcoa), in 2016 he finishes his higher studies in Musikene, studying with saxophone teachers as Mikel Andueza and Bob Sands. He participates in different groups such as Half Quartet Plus Two, Lau Quartet, Ludovico y los Acéfalos, Soul Messengers, Xahu or Víctor Antón Group. He has played in festivals such as Jazzaldia, Munijazz, Cerezales del Condado, Jazzez Blai etc. As well as in the R&B and Soul festival Mojo Working accompanying well-known artists such as Brenda Holloway, The Contours, Dee Dee Sharp, Betty Harris, The Velvelletes, The Original Vandellas...
Mikel Núñez
Piano
(Durango, 1983), graduated in jazz piano at the Higher School of Music of the Basque Country, Musikene, in 2015. Pianist and keyboardist who has been part of numerous bands and with countless collaborations and recordings through various styles. He currently combines his work as a piano teacher with being an active musician in bands such as Mississippi Queen, Xahu, Josu Bergara, Bilbao Lindy band, ... among others.
Jon Ander Amigo
Electric Bass
Musician in constant development and regular of the Bilbao (Spain) scene, he developed his training between Musikene (Higher School of Music of the Basque Country) and the Higher School of Music of Navarra, where he is currently. In 2018 he joined the Atxokako Big Band under the direction of Mikel Romero. Multifaceted musician, he has worked on countless recordings and projects of all kinds as well as participated in several festivals such as the Heineken Jazzaldia, Santurtzi Jazz and Deba Jazzez Blai. Throughout his career he has worked with groups such as Charlie Don't Jazz, Mr.Bop Trio, FD Funk, Jazz Morning Duo, The Asymphtomatics, Xahu, A2 Jazz Quartet…
Unai Olabarri Varela
Drums
(Bilbao). Graduated with a bachelor’s degree in jazz studies from Musikene in San Sebastian (Spain) in 2016, with a master's degree in jazz performance at Prins Claus Conservatorium in Groningen (Netherlands) in 2018 and a second master's degree with a full scholarship from the Fulbright Commission at Aaron Copland School of Music at Queens College in New York in 2021. During the last years he has shared stage with musicians such as: Perico Sambeat, Ariel Bringuez, Hugo Astudillo, Román Filiú, Dave Glasser, Andrzej Olejniczak, Mariano Díaz, Joaquín Chacón, Víctor Merlo, Dani Pérez, Ben Besiakov… And he is member of bands such as Xahu and Kuttune.