New York (NY), USA – Dino Saluzzi will be touring the United States to promote his new recording. The new CD, Ojos Negros, is a unique collaboration with German cellist Anja Lechner, music that they have been developing together for many years. Lechner began traveling to Argentina two decades ago to explore tango traditions and their European links. Years later she was introduced to Saluzzi by ECM founder. producer Manfred Eicher and the musicians found an instant connection blending European chamber music, American jazz, and Argentine tango. Lechner is best known for her work with the Rosamunde String Quartet, who received a Grammy nomination in 2003.
Ojos Negros is a collection of Saluzzi’s compositions for bandoneon and cello using a unique vocabulary filled with the echoes of Argentina’s folk music – songs like “Minguito” (a celebration of actor Juan Carlos Altavista’s well know comic TV character, Minguito Tinguitela), “Carretas” (a memory of oxcarts crossing the pampas), and “El Títere” (inspired by the famed novelist Jorge Luis Borges).Dino Saluzzi, born in Campo Santo in the north of Argentina, is one of the most important composers in contemporary South America. The composer is also a master of the bandoneon (button accordion) and his influence has traveled far beyond South America. He has worked with American jazz greats Gato Barbieri and Charlie Haden, and two of his songs (“Gorrión” and “Coral Para Mi Pequeño y Lejano Pueblo”) were featured in Spanish director Pedro Almadóvar’s film “All About My Mother.”
On March 17th, the duo played a concert for the inauguration of the Centro Cultural Saluzzi in Salta, close to Saluzzi’s birthplace which has inspired many of his works. The center, at the site of what was formerly the municipal slaughterhouse, will serve as a school, rehearsal and performance space for local musicians and composers.
Dino Saluzzi and Anja Lechner’s CD “ Ojos Negros” was released on April 3, 2007 on ECM. Buy Ojos Negros.
April 2007 Debut US Tour
Dino Saluzzi, bandoneon
Anja Lechner, cello
Wednesday April 18 Eugene, OR The Shedd
Thursday April 19 Los Angeles, CA Skirball Center
Sunday April 22 San Francisco, CA SFJAZZ Festival, Florence Gould Theater
Tuesday April 24 New York, NY Merkin Concert Hall
Wednesday April 25 Miami, FL Carnival Center for the Perf. Arts
Friday April 27 Columbus, OH Wexner Center
Saturday April 28 Buffalo, NY Albright-Knox Gallery
Monday May 28 Charleston, SC Spoleto Festival, Sottile Theatre
Photo by Juan Hitters, ECM Records
Author: World Music Central News Room
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