LIVERMORE – Hailing from the Spanish Canary Islands, timple virtuoso Germán López will bring the traditional music of the islands, flavored with his own contemporary style, to the Bankhead Theater on Friday evening, Sept. 30.

A diminutive five-stringed instrument intrinsic to the music of the Canary Islands, the timple (pronounced tim-play) is similar in size to the more familiar four-stringed ukulele but has a rounded shape and a fuller resonance. López is renowned for his performance on the timple and his music has been described as “small jewels ... ballads full of wonder and sensitivity” that express the joyful spirit of his native islands.

Gran Canaria is the largest of the Spanish Canary Islands which make up an archipelago off the coast of Africa. Germán López learned to play the timple at an early age and was quickly identified as a musical prodigy, entering the Conservatory of Music in Las Palmas at the age of seven and receiving a master’s degree in musical studies when he was just 15. He began performing publicly at the age of 10 and has become known for his innovative presentation of the ancient music of the Canary Islands, as well as for his creative collaborations with the symphony orchestra of Gran Canaria. He has been featured at international festivals including  World of Music, Art and Dance (WOMAD) and Circuits INJUVE, among others. López has been praised as a highlight of the new generation of performers on the centuries-old instrument, able to bring together elements from widespread musical influences to create a style of his own that is both authentic and original.

Now in its 10th season, Livermore Valley Performing Arts Center strives to offer audiences both familiar names and exceptional up-and-coming artists among the diverse entertainment presented on the Bankhead stage every year. This is particularly true in its LVPAC Presents World Music Series this season where artists range from the legendary Irish folk group The Chieftains, to Germán López who was specifically chosen for his fresh and appealing style of contemporary world music. Other performances include the Scottish Gaelic music of Julie Fowlis, known for her vocals on the theme song from Disney’s animated film, “Brave,” who will appear on Friday, October 14th. In February 2017, the Bankhead will welcome the annual return of International Guitar Night and, the following month, will feature Kahulanui – Hawaii’s Kings of Swing with their energetic blend of big band sound and traditional island rhythms. Tickets for these and all performances in LVPAC Presents Tenth Season are available now at the Bankhead Theater ticket office, 2400 First Street in Livermore, (925) 373-6800, or online at www.lvpac.org