Francisco Canaro - 11/26/1888 - 12/14/1964 Uruguayan violinist and orchestra leader Nickname: Pirincho. In 1924, had the idea of incorporating "Estribillistas" the first one was Roberto Diaz. Also introduced the contra-bass into the tango orchestra. He also introduced an orchestral mass orchestra, 32 pcs. unknown in tango until then. The number varies on Canaro's recordings, the figures are somewhere in between 3500 -7000. Canaro was also very successful in producing musicals.
"Cuartito Azul" Orquesta Francisco Canaro con Francisco Amor 1939
Juan D'Arienzo - 12/14/1900 - 1/14/1976 Violinist and orchestra leader Nickname: El Rey del Compas D'Arienzo played hard rhythmic tangos with a strong staccato dance rhythm. 1935 was a pivotal year for D'Arienzo, that is when Rodolfo Biagi joined him on piano. Biagi's contribution was a change of time signature for the orchestra. It changed the orchestra from the four-eight to the two-four, meaning the fast beat like that of the primitive tangos. When Biagi left in 1938 to form his own orchestra, D'Arienzo was already identified with the two-four, thus becoming the "King of the Beat".
"Nunca Mas" Orquesta Juan D' Arienzo con Hector Maure 1941
Carlos Di Sarli - 1/7/1903 - 1/12/1960 Pianist, composer and orchestra leader Nickname: El Senor del Tango Carlos Di Sarli started with Osvaldo Fresedo's orchestra. Di Sarli developed smooth, clean sounding, powerful arrangements. As he grew, his music became more powerful and more playful. Di Sarli always kept a clear rhythm, easy for a beginner dancer, but also very complex, suitable for the advanced dancers. That is why he is played regularly at milongas all over the world.
Ricardo Tanturi - 1/27/1905 - 1/24/1973 Pianist, composer, orchestra leader Nickname: El Caballero del Tango In 1924, starting his music career, all the while attending medical school where he did graduate. Tanturi's recordings have been classics, mostly from his choice of singers. In 1939, he incorporated Alberto Castillo into his orchestra. Castillo's perfect tune and master in his uses of pitches. Tanturi-Castillo recorded 37 songs. In 1943, Castillo left Tanturi, and was replaced by Enrique Campos. Tanturi-Campos recorded 51 songs together and Campos left in 1946.
"Asi Se Baile El Tango" Orquesta Ricardo Tanturi con Alberto Castillo 1942
Rodolfo Biagi - 3/14/1906 - 9/24/1969 Pianist, orchestra leader Nickname: Manos Brujas In 1919, Rodolfo Biagi made his professional debut at the age of 13. In 1935, he joined Juan D'arienzo's orchestrafor three years. Biagi's energetic style set new standards for musicians and dancers alike. For the next three decades Biagi played throughout Latin America performing his distinguished style of tangos, vals and milongas. Biagi's orchestra was the first to appear on Argentinean telelvision. In my humble opinion, Biagi's valses are one of the best you can dance to.
"Todo Te Nombra" Orquesta Rodolfo Biagi con Jorge Ortiz 1940
Alfredo De Angelis - 11/2/1912 - 3/31/1992 Pianist, composer and orchestra leader Nickname: El Colorado Alfredo De Angelis's orchestra started playing in 1943 and played until 1977. He made a total of 486 recordings. He was a promoter of vocal duets. His singers played an important role to his orchestra. Among them, Carlos Dante, Julio Martel, Floreal Ruiz and Oscar Larroca. Under his direction, he was known as the merry-go-round orchestra, easy, simple and somewhat routine like, that of a merry-go-round.
"Dejame Asi" Orquesta Alfredo De Angelis con Floreal Ruiz 1943
Anibal Troilo - 7/11/1914 - 5/18/1975 Bandoneonist, composer, orchestra leader Nickname: Pichuco Troilo's orchestra was most preferred by social dancers during the Golden Age of tango (1940-1955). Troilo then shifted to more of a concert sound in the late fifties. He is probably best known for his instrumentals, but he did record with many great vocalists such as, Francisco Fiorentino, Alberto Marino, Floreal Ruiz, Roberto Goyeneche, Raul Beron and Edmundo Rivero. Orlando Goni was his most famous pianist.
"Cristal" Orquesta Anibal Troilo con Alberto Marino 1944
Osvaldo Pugliese - 12/2/1905 - 7/25/1995 Pianist, composer, orchestra leader At the age of 15 Osvaldo Pugliese started his professional career. Later he played for the great Roberto Firpo and Pedro Maffia orchestras. Later, Pugliese formed a group with violinist Alfredo Gobbi and a very young Anibal Troilo. In the 40's, he recorded some instrumental pieces which anticipated the Avant-garde. Such is the case of "La Yumba". He is regarded as the pioneer of syncopation and counterpoint.
Osvaldo Fresedo - 5/5/1897 - 11/18/1984 Bandoneon player, composer, orchestra leader Nickname: El Pibe de La Paternal Osvaldo Fresedo has had the longest tango career of all time, 63 years. In 1927, Fresedo's success was that he had five orchestras at one time. He would have to show himself at each location where his orchestras were performing. Fresedo introduced new instruments into tango, such as the harp, vibraphone and a discreet use of the drums.
"Siempre Es Carnaval" Orquesta Osvaldo Fresedo con Roberto Ray 1937
