Na Lua

Na Lua, a sextet headquartered in Spain, updates the longstanding musical heritage of Galicia from the Celtic northwestern reaches of the country. Although the ensemble stays grounded in Galician roots, it blends in sounds drawn from Eastern Europe, Latin America, Portugal, Ireland, Africa, and Asia, yielding a fresh, internationally conscious approach. Roots World notes, "Galicia has become the focus of the latest 'Celts of the world' fad, but this band exceeds expectations."

Established in 1980, the group embodies the artistic direction of guitarist, percussionist, and bandleader Xose Ramon Pas Anton. Rounding out the lineup are Anton Rodriguez on flute, soprano saxophone, and wind pipe, Candido Lorenzo on clarinet, whistle, and wind pipe, Xabier Debesa on accordion, percussion, and vocals, Ricardo Pereiro on bass, and Xabier Camba Abel on drums and percussion. The musicians identify Anton's command of the charrasco—the wooden instrument described as a "mixture of a bass drum, 16 tambourines, and four pairs of adult 'vieira'"—as their "secret weapon."

Na Lua supplied music for the short film O Segredo by Daniel Dominguez and Uxia Blanco as well as the medium-length features Rio De Sambias by Dominguez and O Outra Muller by production team A Serpe Do Carnavel. In 1995 the ensemble marked its 15th anniversary through a 40-city tour titled 15 Anos De Musica.