Tigaray

Island: Tenerife
Career: Founded in 1985

In brief

Founded in Realejo Bajo in 1985, Tigaray creates Canarian popular music open to the Atlantic, combining isas, sones and tajarastes with joropos, boleros and rancheras.

Related figures

Samuel Fumero García

Works and repertoire

En las raíces del alma
A la sombra de Tigaiga
Las dos orillas
El Foguetero
Isa a Bentor
Gara y Jonay

Group history

Tigaray was formed in the summer of 1985 in Realejo Bajo, Los Realejos. From its earliest recordings, the ensemble placed Canarian popular music at the centre of a creative project, not merely a preservation effort. Its discography traced that evolution from Tigaray (1987) and Sueño de un emigrante (1989) to En las raíces del alma (1993), A la sombra de Tigaiga (1996) and Las dos orillas (2000). Around 2011 and 2012, Samuel Fumero García’s direction and the arrival of younger members renewed the repertory.

Why it matters

Tigaray’s contribution lies in presenting Canarian tradition as contemporary, mixed music. Its career connects Tenerife’s musical memory with repertories from Venezuela, Mexico and other American settings, a relationship especially clear in Las dos orillas. The ensemble has performed throughout the Canary Islands, mainland Spain, Venezuela and at Seville Expo 92.

Style and repertoire

Tigaray’s musical language works through recognisable crossings: isas and sones alongside joropos, tajarastes beside Latin American song forms, and folías, boleros and rancheras within the same programme. Pieces such as El Foguetero, Isa a Bentor, Gara y Jonay, Seguidillas del pescador, Aires de Isla and Canción a Mayo combine island references, storytelling and popular song.

Transmission and legacy

The project’s continuity rests on different generations working together and on cultural activity beyond the stage. Since 2013, Espacio Cultural Tigaray in Los Realejos has hosted meetings, performances and other initiatives. This community dimension complements recordings and concerts and keeps popular music connected to its place of origin.

Key milestones

1985
Fundación en Realejo Bajo
The ensemble begins its activity in Los Realejos.
1987–1993
Primeros discos
Tigaray, Sueño de un emigrante and En las raíces del alma define its first period.
1992
Expo de Sevilla
The ensemble performs at the Seville Universal Exposition.
2000
Las dos orillas
The album makes the musical dialogue between the Canaries and the Americas explicit.
2013
Espacio Cultural Tigaray
A venue opens for meetings, performances and cultural initiatives.

Sources and links

Grupo TigarayAyuntamiento de Los Realejos ↗En las raíces del almaBiblioteca Nacional de España ↗

In brief

Related figures

Works and repertoire

Group history

Why it matters

Style and repertoire

Transmission and legacy

Key milestones

Fundación en Realejo Bajo

Primeros discos

Expo de Sevilla

Las dos orillas

Espacio Cultural Tigaray

Sources and links

Other groups

Los Sabandeños

Los Gofiones

Taburiente