Cultural Community: Basque
Artforms: Folk & Traditional Music – Basque song and trikitixa style accordion, foodways
Residence: Southwestern Idaho

Bio: Some of Dan Ansotegui’s earliest memories are of lying in bed at night while listening to his father – Domingo Ansotegui – practice downstairs with his Basque band. Domingo learned to play the button accordion – the trikitixa – by ear and played with Jimmy Jausoro’s band in Boise and around the region. Dan followed suit as a second-generation Basque-American musician, playing with Jausoro (on various instruments) for 16 years. Over the course of his life, Dan has visited the Basque country to learn the trikitixa in depth and develop teaching methods. His current band, Amuma Says No, is helping to share and spread the enjoyment of Basque music. He has also been a member of the Basque dance troupe, the Oinkari Basque Dancers, for nearly 20 years and one of the co-founders of the liturgical dance group Oñati Dantza Taldea. In addition to Basque music and dance, Dan carries on Basque traditions in foodways. He established both Bar Gernika and the Basque Market on Grove Street in downtown Boise, and teaches Basque cooking classes.

Honors & Awards: 2002 & 2003, Master, Idaho Commission on the Arts Traditional Arts Apprenticeship Program
2004, Idaho Heritage Award
2004, Governor’s Arts Award for Excellence in Folk and Traditional Arts

Glossary Terms: Basque, button accordion, Trikitixa, foodways, folklore

For Services Offered, Availability, and Costs, please contact the artist.

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