Los Canarios

by Craig HarrisThe classical repertoire has been given a modern, avant-garde twist by the Spanish quintet Los Canarios. Led by keyboardist Edward "Teddy" Bautista, the group has consistently revamped the classical tradition with their imaginative interpretations. Their 1974 album Ciclos remains a classic adaptation of Vivaldi's cycle of concertos "Four Seasons," composed more than 200 years earlier. Formed by Bautista in 1967, Los Canarios initially performed American-style R&B and soul music and sang in English. The group recorded several tunes, including "Get on Your Knees" and "Free Yourself," that became hits in their homeland, and opened shows for such bands as the Beach Boys. Temporarily disbanded when Bautista entered the armed services, Los Canarios reorganized after his discharge. Their music became more progressive as Bautista increasingly experimented with synthesizers and other electronic keyboards. Bautista has continued to balance his involvement with Los Canarios with soundtrack work for Spanish television productions, including a Spanish version of Jesus Christ Superstar.