Canzoniere Grecanico Salentino (CGS), a vibrant force in traditional Italian music, was born in 1975 under the visionary guidance of writer Rina Durante. Hailing from the sun-soaked region of Salento in Southern Italy, this dynamic seven-piece ensemble, accompanied by a captivating dancer, breathes new life into the ancient rhythms of Pizzica — the fiery, hypnotic folk tradition that has echoed through generations.

With a unique blend of reverence and innovation, CGS transforms Pizzica into a contemporary celebration of sound and movement, where every note pulses with the heartbeat of Salento’s cultural soul. Their track Lu Guistacofane, featured on the acclaimed album Canzoniere, is a testament to their magnetic energy. It’s nearly impossible to stay still when this irresistible beat takes hold — you’d have to be downright stiff from the waist down not to get swept up in the dance.