NAN
MERCADER -
BIOGRAPHY -
1980 – Studies in the Taller de Musics
and in the Aula de Musica Moderna i Jazz, in Barcelona, Spain.
1982 – Goes to La Havana, Cuba to continue his education
in the Escuela Ignacio Cervantes and the Centro Folklórico
Nacional, with Joaquin Pla (Irakere), Justo Pelladito and Eugenio
Arango (Pablo Milanés group)
1983 – Plays and records with Caramba, Octopussy Latin-Jazz
Combo, Salsa Picante, Orquesta Encantada, Pernil Latino, La Murga
(Catalonian Folklore), La Negra (Funky-pop) and many others.
1984 – Becomes percussion professor in the Taller de Musics,
in Barcelona, Spain.
1986 – Returns to La Havana to study Afro-Cuban folklore.
1987 – Records with many Spanish artists, including Los
Amaya, Rumba 3, Manolo Escobar, Alameda and Ecos del Sur.
1988 –Specializes in Flamenco music, teaching in various
music academies. Records numerous jingles for Spanish TV.
1989 – Composes the music for the show “Wad-Ras”,
for the dance Troupe Increpacion Danza (modern flamenco) with
flamenco guitarist Ñoño Martínez.
1990 – Records and tours with the Matthew Simon – Manel
Camp Quintet.
1991 – Records and tours with the group Nómades
with Jorge Pardo, Carles Benavent, Max Suñé and
Salvador Niebla.
1992 – Travels to New York to with various percussion
specialists. Records and tours with the French group Les Zoulousains.
1993 – Records and tours with Spanish jazz pianist Tete
Montoliu and flamenco singer Mayte Martín. Also tours
with the Carles Benavent trio.
1994 – Records with such artists as Manzanita, Parrita,
Junco, Los Banis, etc.
1995 – Receives best percussionist award for 1995 and
2000 from the Catalonian jazz musicians´ association. Tours
with the Max Suñé trio.
1996 – Travels to Marrakech (Morocco) to better his knowledge
of Arabian folklore. Performs with Experimental Barcelona Percussió with
flamenco singers Ginesa Ortega and Vicky Romero. Publishes articles
on teaching methods in educational magazines.
1997 – Performs in the presentation of the CD “Ave
Fénix” by Carles Benavent, with Tino di Geraldo
and Rubem Dantas.
Plays in Hong Kong, also studying Asian folklore.
Tours Portugal with singer Fernando Tordo.
1998 – Records with Salvador Niebla and with Spanish guitarist
Rafael Cañizares and Ginesa Ortega.
Tours with Spanish pop group Jarabe de Palo to Italy and France.
Records and performs with Camp/Simon Acoustic Quintet.
1999 – Composes music for Increpación Danza´s “Olla
Podrida” performed in Madrid. Co-founds the flamenco percussion
group Ayatana with flamenco dancers Sonia Poveda and Susana Medina.
2000 – Records with Joan Manuel Serrat, under musical
director Josep Mas “Kitflus”. Tours North and South
America.
First record with the Latin Jazz band Barry/ Pereira Quintet.
Publishes the learning method “ Flamenco Percussion” -
the first in the world, teaching all the flamenco rhythm secrets.
2001- Performs as a percussion soloist with the “National
String Orquestra of Andorra”. Works as “Toca Percussion “endorser.
Records jingles and pop music in his own percussion studio, Okonkolo
S.L.
2002- Becomes the Latin Percussion teacher in the ESMUC (National
Music Universityl of Catalonia. Gives work-shops and clinics
throughout Spain. Endorser of “Ocaña”, a flamenco “box” constructor.
2003- Records and tours with own band Ayatana, a flamenco fusion
group. Composes music for the contemporary- dance company “ Nats
Nus”.
Second record with the Latin Jazz Band Barry/ Pereira Quintet.
Publishes many articles in the Spanish version of “Modern
Drummer Magazine” called “Bateria Total”.
First record with his own group AYATANA called AYATANA
2004- Creates his last project” CAJONMANIA” Tours
and preparing a live DVD.
2005- Invited to Berklee College in Boston (USA) as a flamenco
specialist during the “summer percussion festival” in
June 2005.
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