Aljub: From the arab “al-jubb” meaning a well. Aljub was the name on one of Joansa Maravilla’s files in his computer. (Joansa is an ex-member of the group Cendraires i l’Ham de Foc). In his file Joansa kept topics and themes which he and some friends had composed (but this name was the one chosen for the group when it was founded in 2002).

In the year of its foundation the group was chosen to perform in the folk festival of Cartagena, Folk Segovia and Folk Getxo. The same society which chose Aljub in 2002, the Institute of Youth Music in Spain (INJUVE), chose Aljub again to perform in Europe (representing Spain in Ireland and Italy), in the programme Discopolis of RNE 3, and furthermore in Radio competitions in Norway.

Their first record appeared in 2004 (Escarbant en la memòria) was considered the seventh best record of folk that year. Throughout the year Aljub performed in folk festivals held in Xàbia and also in the Music of the world contest in L’Eliana, not forgetting Sons del Mon in Castelló de la Plana and the Fair of Show and Entertainment held in Manresa.

Aljub is an exclusively Valencian acoustic group, sound and repertoire. Vocal interpretation include all styles of beat, romance and lullaby. On the instrumental side the themes are principally based on processions and dances; following its sound we can find a kind of reminiscence of medieval times which characterise the instrumental development. We must also add the introduction of the Zither, the land which have helped to add a touch of finess found in Morella.

Aljub is a “serious” group quite different to others which dedicate to dance and feast. It is a group to listen to, a group to enjoy its virtuosity and its solo. As Josep Vicent Frechina says in the first record, “it is a goldsmith work of art which shines with a special brillance." He continues to add that if all goes as is, Aljub is going to be quite a mouthful, given time.

Aljub group consists of:

Spyros Kaniaris (guitar), Joansa Maravilla (percussion), Dani Miquel (hurdy-gurdy and wind), Nèstor Mont (voice) and Cristóbal Rentero (arab lute, gumbus and wind)