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Playing Tango, as Far as Life Allows it: Pablo Ziegler

Playing Tango, as Far as Life Allows it: Pablo Ziegler

It is with great pleasure that IBA hosted this memorable concert, featuring two of the greatest maestros of tango: Pablo Ziegler accompanied by special guest Claudio Ragazzi. Ziegler comes from a classical background with an affinity for jazz which he learned from the father of Nuevo Tango himself, Astor Piazzolla. He is perceived as a continuation of this modern interpretation of the classic genre, adding his own unique and improvised style. [caption id="attachment_5516" align="alignright" width="355"]ziegler_bw_jleon smaller copy Pablo Ziegler[/caption] We had the pleasure of speaking with Ziegler to learn more about his history, his origins with Piazzolla, and the evolution that has allowed him to make a powerful imprint in the world of Nuevo Tango. IBA: From our understanding, you are currently on tour, could you please tell us about your experience with “Two to Tango?” PZ: Two to Tango is my piano tour along with Christopher O'Riley, the host of the famous From the Top radio show. His program serves as great exposure for young musicians. We just finished up two concerts. Yesterday I was playing in Lincoln, Nebraska, the concert was fantastic. The Lincoln Journal has left us a truly stellar review. I’m here with my classical quartet: cello, bass, piano, and bandoneón (Argentine accordion). The concert I will perform for Boston is a little different, with my guest of honor, Claudio Ragazzi, as the group guitarist. IBA: When you started to play with Piazzolla, did you know that Nuevo Tango was going to be so significant to the genre, from the very beginning? PZ: Yes. I began playing with Piazzolla during a time in which he was already very famous in Argentina. It was a great honor to be asked to work with him — an honor and also a big responsibility — his music was not easy in the least; at least for those of us who came from other styles. I didn’t have a background in tango, I played jazz during that time but, I had a strong classical training and tango has always been in my life through the music of Buenos Aires. For me, it was fantastic. I remember that immediately after I heard him on the radio for the first time I thought to myself, “This man is going to make history with his music,” and that’s exactly what has happened. Piazzolla’s music is known around the whole world. IBA: Nuevo Tango has evolved from its inception with Piazzolla; and you have been an important part of this evolution. Could you tell us about the public’s reaction? Has your style attracted different audiences? PZ: After Piazzolla passed away, I had to find a bandoneon; and I went on tour around the world as a tribute to Astor. From then on, the public was asking me to keep on playing Piazzolla’s music which is something that I still do. I incorporate his sounds, but fundamentally I play my own music, and the reception has always been positive. Today’s Nuevo Tango audience, I would say is mixed. There are people from the United States who discovered Piazzolla a long time ago and they have continued to follow me. There are also some who like Milonga, even though my style is Nuevo Tango. The audience has been significantly expanding in this country. If there is something I learned from Astor it is that one must fight for his own music. That is what I did. [caption id="attachment_5517" align="alignleft" width="310"] Claudio Ragazzi[/caption] IBA: You have played with Claudio Ragazzi in the past. Could you tell us about your musical relationship with him? PZ: Our musical relationship is fantastic. It is always pleasant. He is a talented guitarist and a great musician. He deserves his position in Berklee, because he has done a great deal of film scoring. He is an excellent musician; we truly get along very well. IBA: What can we expect from your upcoming concert? Will there be some improvisation? PZ: Of course, that’s what it’s all about. I’m currently working on the program for the piano and guitar duos between me and Claudio, and of course, we’re both improvisers. It is about improvising within the genre that we’re playing, Nuevo Tango, which always has a component of jazz, but at the same time a heavy tango contribution. I think there’s something for both audiences, for the tangueo and for the jazzista -- and well, of course, there’s an appeal for the classical public as well, because of the majority of the themes. They all have a very solid classical foundation. IBA: You currently live in New York, would you say that this city has influenced you in terms of jazz, or on the contrary, that you have been of influence with the Argentine Tango? PZ: I come from a background in jazz. But, on the contrary, I understood that being in New York meant I had to make a difference between jazz and what I do. My themes have a lot more to do with the music of Buenos Aires than they do with jazz. There is improvisation, but we try to make sure that it always has a very tango and Buenos Aires flair. In some ways, I think the audience demanded that difference. My style and pieces, luckily, are always well received. I would say that we are also influencing some American musicians in regards to this brand of music. [embed]https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rqKkd8IRMH0&feature=youtu.be[/embed] IBA: How far would you like to go with this genre? I’m going to go as far as life allows it, retirement is not an option. This music is my life and it is what I always want to do. My accountant understood, he asked me to start a retirement fund, and I made it clear that I wasn’t depositing money into any such account, I will be playing until the day that I die. Lastly, we wanted to know your thoughts regarding IBA’s mission to promote Latino culture through the arts. How important do you think this is in cities across the United States? I think it’s extremely important. For me, it is going to be a great pleasure to play in this concert so that you can all enjoy some Latin American culture....