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Joe Castellana
Il Re dello Zufolo • King of the Zufolo
   
 
To see Joe Castellana playing and performing is not just a rare and enjoyable experience. It’s also a step back into time, to experience another world, another age.
The traditional costume Joe wears is the same design as Sicilian costume over 300 years ago.
That actual pipe he is playing – the zufolo – is handed down from Joe’s grandfather, and is itself nearly 150 years old.
The history of the zufolo however covers a staggering 7,000 years! Right back to its origins in Ancient Egypt where it was used to accompany traditional and ritual dances.
 

But the zufolo couldn’t sit still in one place. 2,000 years ago the Greeks took up this lilting instrument. Later, when they occupied Sicily, they took the zufolo with them.
The zufolo found a new home in Sicily where for centuries shepherds took their comforting pipe with them for the long sheep grazing period from autumn, through the long mountain winter, to spring.

This is the tradition of the zufolo, that Joe learned from his own grandfather and now happily keeps alive here in Australia.

 

Joe Castellana was crowned King of the Zufolo by the Chairman of the Sydney Opera House Trust at a Folkloric Festival back in 1979 – and he has carefully guarded his title ever since. He loves accompanying folkloric dancers and performing at all types of Festas and regional events. Joe has an enormous, authentic musical repertoire – has composed countless songs and recorded many cassettes, LP albums and a CD – and is also an accomplished performer on the fisarmonica.
 


For enquiries or bookings for Joe Castellana, King of the Zufolo,
call EuroBiz - Sydney on 9550 0011 or email: robert@eurobis.net
or you can book direct with Joe on:
(07) 3369 6309 or mobile 0417 648 079 / 0405 638 642
   
 
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