NEW YORK BUENOS AIRES CONNECTION
Formed in 1990 by Uruguayan bandoneonist Raul Jaurena and bassist Pablo Aslan , NYBAC has performed throughout the United States, Europe, Canada, Russia and South America. The group combines a solid grounding in the tango tradition with a contemporary sound influenced by jazz and classical music. The current instrumentation is bandoneon, violin, piano and bass.
NEW YORK TANGO TRIO
Formed by Jaurena and Aslan in 1995 and has performed in hundreds of tango dances (“milongas”) around the world and in concert appearences where they mix the traditional tango repertoire with improvisation. The trio is very active, performing at Milongas and concerts in New York City and throughout the United States.
LOS GAUCHOS JUDIOS
A multi ethnic, unapologetically postmodern band. This new band brings together the music and expertise of trumpeter-composer Frank London (Klezmatics, Hasidic New Wave), multi-wind World Music expert Matt Darriau (Paradox Trio, Les Miserables Brass Band), and Argentine bassist-composer Pablo Aslan (New York Tango Trio, Pablo Ziegler, Yo-Yo Ma). Their combined repertoires explore the rhythmic diaspora of ancient musics, through Spain, the Middle East, and South America, drawing parallels and juxtaposing melodies with a jazzy, New York improvisatory flavor.
London, Darriau and Aslan have worked together in a variety of projects over the last decade, including Aslan's tango-improvisation group Avantango, London's Shekhina Big Band, and Darriau's Recycled Waltz Orchestra. They have appeared together at the Knitting Factory on several occasions, and at BAM Cafe and Nuyorican Poets Cafe.
Individually, their past associations cover the gamut of contemporary music, with artists such as LL Cool J, Yo Yo Ma, Henry Mancini, Don Byron, Simon Shaheen, Shivaree, Shakira, John Lurie and many more.
AVANTANGO
Formed in 1994 to explore the confluence of traditional and modern tango with jazz and other music of the world. Over the years a number of “downtown” musicians have lent their voice to the project, including saxophonists Thomas Chapin and Matt Darriau, violinist Mark Feldman, percussionist Kenny Wollesen, and pianist Ethan Iverson, under the direction of bassist and composer Pablo Aslan. The group performed in venues such as the Knitting Factory, BAM Cafe, World Financial Center, and Nuyorican Poets Cafe. Gene Santoro wrote in Daily News: “Avantango (...) uncovered a colorful, bristling range of musical possibilities (...) harnessing jazz improvisation to take off in some suggestive, fascinating musical directions.”
In 1996 Avantango recorded as a trio, with the late Thomas Chapin (sax and flute) and Ethan Iverson (piano) a CD that was released in Argentina by EPSA Music (“Y en el 2000 tambien”).
In the last few years, Mr. Aslan has also been working with Argentine jazz musicians, exploring the tango linguistics of the music.
X-TANGO
Led by pianist and composer Fernando Otero, this 5-piece ensemble is on the cutting edge of modern tango. Performances in New York have had a wonderful acceptance, and the group will start touring in 2001. Contact : oteroxtango@earthlink.net
PABLO ZIEGLER QUINTET FOR NEW TANGO
Pablo was the pianist in the legendary Astor Piazzolla quintet. His own band incorporates drums to the sound of New Tango, and features the works of Piazzolla and original compositions. The lineup features some of the most innovative modern tango players in the US: Hector Del Curto (bandoneon), Claudio Ragazzi (guitar), Pablo Aslan (bass,) and Satoshi Takeishi (drums). Currently touring in the US and Europe.
PABLO ZIEGLER TRIO
With Pablo Aslan on bass and Satoshi Takeishi on drums, former Piazzolla Quintet pianist Ziegler explores a loose and open way to play tango. Drawing from a wide repertoire covering traditional songs, Astor Piazzolla standards, and original compositions, the group flirts with a jazz sound soaked in tango.