Musician, composer, instrumentalist, researcher, and music teacher. Born in San Sebastián in 1947.
From a very young age he was immersed in music. At the age of 11 he was playing the clarinet in the municipal band of Etxarri Aranatz and the txistu in the txistularis group and by the age of 16 he was part of the group ARGIA . At that time he was able to learn from, among others, the txalapartaris Miguel and Pello Zuaznabar and Ramon and Asentsio Goikoetxea, the albokaris Patxi Gorrotxategi, Leon Bilbao and Txilibrin, .... txistularis Isidro Ansorena , Maurizio Elizalde , ...., and the old dulzaineros of Gipuzkoa in a practice that has since become the general technique of his work: the search and investigation of music, musicians and instruments.
He has taken part in different groups, such as the "contemporary music group" founded by R. Ruiz Balerdi , and later Sustraiak, Azala , Eltzegor, Xabier Amuriza hirukotea and Txanbela, of which he currently forms part, in addition to his work in the duo J. Goikoetxea-J:M: Beltran. Several albums have been released as a result of his work in these groups. Since 1999 he has performed solo, in duo and trio, giving educational concerts "Basque popular music and instruments" and in a sextet, the concert Arditurri , recorded and published in early 2002. In 2004 he was in charge of the music for the dance Gogoaren bidezidorretatik for Tantaka-Kukai 1937 . In 2006 Orhiko xoria published his second album in his name, in 2007 he published the CD Amasatik Arratera with the Astiasaran Brothers, in 2008 the CD Mendukiloko hotsak , in 2009 Txalaparta and in 2012 Xiroluarrua .
In the field of compilation and research he has published various works in Eusko Ikaskuntza , Cuadernos de Etnograf ay Etnograf a de Navarra , Txistulari , Eufon a , etc. These works deal with musical instruments, play-dances and popular music. He has also published the album and film Euskal Herriko Soinu-tresnak , the video Oiartzungo hotsak and the CD-ROM Euskal Herriko Soinu-tresnak , considered important materials of Basque popular music in these formats. Among other writings, he has published the following books: Soinutresnak euskal herri musikan , San Telmo Museoko soinu eta hots tresnak , Dultzaina Gipuzkoan-La dulzaina en Gipuzkoa , Txalaparta, antecedents and variants , Herri Musikaren Txokoa in Oiartzun , Txalaparta , Xirolarrua ...
In the field of pedagogy, it must be said that he has worked as a music teacher in primary education and since 1985 he teaches txistu, alboka, dulzaina and txalaparta at the "Hernani" Public Music School. He gives courses, talks and educational concerts at the Faculty of Education of the University of the Basque Country, Institutes, Conservatories and Music Schools, Ikastolas, ... As a txalapartari and txalaparta teacher, in 2007 he published TTAKUN 2.1 Computer program for writing txalaparta touches , in CD-ROM format for use in txalaparta schools, made with the help of computer scientist Andres Do ate.
Throughout his life, Juan Mari Beltrán has amassed a valuable collection of materials related to popular music - instruments, a library, a record library, image archives, photographs and films. Thanks to this work, and in collaboration with the Oiartzun Town Council, the "Herri Musikaren Txokoa" Popular Music Documentation Centre was created, open to the public since 1 March 2002. He currently directs SOINUENEA - Herri Musikaren Txokoa.
Juan Mari Beltrán was awarded the 2024 Manuel Lekuona Prize.