Tango Stories

Tango Stories Episode 22 -- Aired December 19, 2018

Guest: Manuk Colakyan

In Episode 22, which aired on December 19, 2018, DJ Manuk Colakyan came on Tango Stories and brought a number of great (and strange!) stories about how various tangos got their names. He also chose absolutely gorgeous versions of these tangos for us to listen to!

Links to the Musical Examples in this episode:

1. "El Entrerriano" - Anibal Troilo

Tango Stories Episode 21 -- Aired December 12, 2018

Guest: Pedro Giraudo

Episode 21 aired on December 12, 2018 and featured an interview with bassist, composer and arranger, Pedro Giraudo. Giraudo’s album “Vigor Tanguero” won “Best Tango Album” at the 2018 Latin Grammys! In addition to a great interview, we hear a lot of beautiful music, mostly from the award-winning album.

To learn more about Pedro and his music: https://www.pedrogiraudo.com

Links to the Musical Examples in this episode:

1. "Vorágine" - Pedro Giraudo Tango Quartet

Tango Stories Episode 20 -- Aired December 5, 2018

Guest: Olga Avigail

In Episode 20, to celebrate Hanukah, I interviewed an extraordinary singer of Yiddish music, Olga Avigail. She also has a special focus on reviving and performing Yiddish tangos, which she performs with the great Polish tango band Tango Attack. I talked with her from her home in Jerusalem via whatsapp. You can learn more about Olga on her website: http://www.olgamieleszczuk.com.pl

Links to the Musical Examples in this episode:

1. "Yosl un Sore Dvoshe" - K. Broydo/F. Gordon

Tango Stories Episode 19 -- Aired November 28, 2018

Guest: Kathleen Greene, Barnes Foundation & Emiliano Messiez

Episode 19 featured interviews with Kathleen Greene, Curator of Public Programs at The Barnes Foundation, and pianist Emiliano Messiez, director of the Emiliano Messiez Tango Quartet. We spoke about an upcoming live tango music event at The Barnes Foundation and about the founding of a new tango orchestra, the Típica Messiez, which premiered at the 9th Philly Tango Fest (May 24-27, 2019).

For additional information about these Guests:

• https://www.barnesfoundation.org

Link to the Musical Example in this episode:

• "Danzarín" - Aníbal Troilo

Tango Stories Episode 18 -- Aired November 21, 2018

Guest: Argentinos en Philadelphia

Episode 18 aired on November 21, 2018 and featured an interview with Daniel Loza and Liliana Friesel Elkouss, two of the organizers of the group “Argentinos en Philadelphia",  about their yearly Argentine gala and the history of their organization.

Links to the Musical Examples in this episode:

1. "El Día Que Me Quieras" - Carlos Gardel

Episode 17 featured pianist, arranger, composer and educator Pablo Estigarribia, who is working tirelessly to increase the accessibility of tango music. Please tune in for a fascinating interview and absolutely gorgeous tango music by Pablo Estigarribia, the Lavellén/Estigarribia/Carbarcos trio, and singer Maria Graña with Pablo Estigarribia.

You can learn more about Pablo Estigarribia and find his music at www.pabloestigarribia.com

Tango Stories Episode 16 -- Aired November 7, 2018

Guest: Elly Fernandez & Kristin Balmer

Episode 16 featured Elly Fernandez & Kristin Balmer, two tangueras and tango teachers in the Philadelphia area. In this episode they talk about a Youth Tango Retreat, an intensive two-day tango workshop for teens age 13-17, and the benefits of teaching tango to young people. It also featured beautiful music, including "Sueño de Juventud", sung by Theresia Thylin with the Ariel Iud Tango Quartet.

Links to the Musical Examples in this episode:

1. "Tengo Mil Novias" - Enrique Rodriguez

Tango Stories Episode 61 -- Aired May 6, 2020

Guest: Carol Horowitz 

Episode 61 aired on May 6, 2020 and featured Carol Horowitz, co-founder and director of Studio Tango Montréal, one of the biggest schools of its kind in North America. Tango is taught there by 12 teachers, 7 days a week, all year long! 

Carol has organized countless workshops and special events, including the Montreal Summer Tango Fling, a non-profit community event held each summer, and the Bailongo Montreal Tango Festival held annually in May. When schedule permits she travels to teach, perform and dj at other studios, festivals and marathons in Canada and the U.S. Refer to her website for more information: studiotango.ca

Links to the Musical Examples in this episode:

1. "Bien Milonga" - Osvaldo Pugliese

Tango Stories Episode 60 -- Aired April 29, 2020

Guest: Dr. Wendy Magee, Part 2 of 2 

Episode 60 aired on April 29, 2020 and was the second of two interviews with Dr. Wendy Magee, a celebrated music therapist, researcher and educator. In the first interview, she talked about the impact of music on the brain, the role of rhythm in coordinating daily movement (like even when not dancing), and the clinical uses of music for healing.

In this episode she addresses the growing body of research on how studying and dancing tango may improve health outcomes for patients dealing with a wide variety of conditions. It is heartening and important that there is starting to be hard data supporting the benefits of tango, which previously we just knew intuitively.

Links to the Musical Examples in this episode:

1. "Siga El Baile" - Orquesta Romantica Milonguero

Tango Stories Episode 59 -- Aired April 22, 2020

Guest: Dr. Wendy Magee, Part 1 of 2 

Episode 59 aired on April 22, 2020 and featured Dr. Wendy Magee, a celebrated music therapist, researcher and educator. She talked about how music and rhythm have been demonstrated to have quantifiable, positive effects on the brain, for EVERYONE, from those with severe brain injuries, to those with age-related challenges, to all of us living with reduced stimuli during the Covid-19 quarantine and needing support to keep our brains and bodies functioning well.

In the next episode, she returns to talk about the specific and growing body of research on how studying and dancing tango benefits various populations. All of this is so exciting and important. And it's nice to hear Wendy's voice and remember being together in classes and at milongas!

Links to the Musical Examples in this episode:

1. "Derecho Viejo" - Osvaldo Pugliese