Maddi Oihenart

Maddi Oihenart is a Basque singer and songwriter born in Barcus (Barkoxe), Soule (Zuberoa), a region of the French Basque Country, in 1956. She’s known for her distinctive voice that blends influences from traditional Basque music and jazz, crafting a sound that’s both rooted in her heritage and open to modern experimentation. Although she started singing at a young age, Maddi launched her professional music career later in life, around age 40. She began by performing a cappella and later collaborated with a range of musicians, including jazz artists such as Josetxo Goia Arribe and Juantxo Zeberio, expanding her repertoire across several albums—most notably “Lürralde zilarra,” “Hari biru,” “Baldi,” and “Doi.”

Alongside her own songwriting, Maddi frequently interprets the prose and poetry of Basque writers like Itxaro Borda and Bernardo Atxaga. Her music spans labels such as Agorila, Elkar, Metak, and No-CD Records, and she has worked with notable Basque artists including Olatz Zugasti and Juan Mari Beltran. Maddi Oihenart’s career is a testament to the vibrant evolution of Basque musical traditions, underpinned by her expressive voice and collaborative spirit.

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