CLASS MATERIALS

Review the steps you learned in class by watching these vides from each week! Scroll below!

Review the names of musicians and orchestras we dance to in class.

Terms & cultural terminology used in class. We are expanding this list every day, so check back frequently!

 Carlos Gardel, (1890 – 1935) a superstar of Tango song - a singer, songwriter, composer, and actor he is the most beloved and prominent figure in Tango’s history.  Gardel was notable for his baritone

voice, expressive and dramatic phrasing of lyrics. He starred in the first music videos, in films and was an innovator. 

In collaboration with the lyricist, Alfredo Le Pera he created some of the most recognizable tangos. Many of the films featuring Carlos Gardel were filmed in New York City, including "El Dia Que Me Quieras," which included a cameo by a young Astor Piazzolla. 

 Astor Piazzolla, (1921- 1992) Argentine born, and New York raised composer, arranger and bandoneon player who went on to revolutionize Tango, creating the Nuevo Tango (new tango) by combining

traditional tango with elements of Jazz and Classical music. (Shown here next to his violinist, Fernando Suarez-Paz)

Born in Mar del Plata and immigrated to New York City in 1925, Astor began to study bandoneon in New York. He met and worked with Carlos Gardel, studied composition with Nadia Boulanger and his connection and deep understanding of Tango, Jazz and Classical music propelled the creation of nuevo tango. He was a mentor and friend to Leonardo Suarez-Paz, whose father was Piazzolla's violinist for over a decade. In the class, we danced to Piazzolla's Orquesta del '46.

Aníbal Troilo (1914 – 1975), also known as Pichuco is once of the most beloved figures of the tango culture. He was a bandoneon player, composer, arranger, and bandleader whose orchestra enjoyed great popularity during tango's Golden Age of 1940s and 50s. 

Considered one of the pillars of the tango tradition, Troilo's style continued to evolve with time and inspired generations of younger musicians including violinist Fernando Suarez-Paz who played with Troilo.  Astor Piazzolla played in and arranged for Troilo's orquesta típica during the period of 1939–1944, before forming his first orchestra Piazzolla '46. 

Alfredo Gobbi (1912 – 1965) was a violin player, composer and bandleader in Argentina during the Golden Age of Tango whose nickname was 'the romantic violin of tango" / "el Violín Romántico del Tango," carrying a refined and expressive Decarean (from Julio DeCaro) style.  He joined a sexted led by violinist Elvino Vardaro and Osvaldo Pugliese along with Anibal Troilo and played as the first violinist of Pedro Laurenz. 

He formed his own orchestra in 1942, with a style which became known for its marcación bordoneada (a type of left hand comping), artistically beautiful, authentically pure and unmistakably his.

Horacio Salgán, (1916 - 2016), was an Afro-Argentine pianist, leader and composer. He is known for his rhythmically and harmonically sophisticated style and impeccable and energetic musical performances along with his orchestra and other groups such as the Quinteto Real. His influences include Jazz, Brazilian music, folk music, and all kinds of beats that drew his attention as well as the great names of classical music. His most important compositions include “Del 1 al 5 (Días de pago)” (1944), " Don Agustin Bardi" (1947), “Entre tango y tango” (1953), “La llamo silbando” and "A Fuego Lento" - a composition with highest popular acclaim. Leonardo Suarez-Paz had the pleasure of performing as a violin soloist with Salgán's orchestra, which has influenced his own style as a composer and "A Fuego Lento," forms part of many of our programs.