Tango Stories

Meredith Klein sits down with Phi Lee Lam to discuss the upcoming Long Table Weekend, how they got into tango, & much more. Join them October 16th & 17th. Women, non-binary individuals and LGBTQIA+ are invited to join us for a weekend of discussions, movement experiences and social dancing aimed at re-imagining tango’s past, present and future to better represent the diversity of the people who dance it. Find more information about the Long Table Weekend & Philadelphia's other tango adventures at https://www.philadelphiatangoschool.com/    

Episode 71 features Cucuza Castiello, one of the greatest living tango singers.  Meredith Klein was joined by co-host Juan Villarreal for this episode.  Cucuza will be the featured performer, along with his son Mateo on guitar, in the May 21 episode of “Tango en la Terraza.”  Information & tickets at www.tangoenlaterraza.com

Be transported back in time with our Tango Stories Redux: republished episodes every other week opposite our new episodes. Originally recorded in Buenos Aires & aired in April 2019. If you enjoy this podcast, you can support us at https://www.patreon.com/tangostories

In this week's episode of Tango Stories, Meredith Klein talks with singer Karina Beorlegui. This interview is in Spanish. A portion of the interview will be transcribed and published in English later this week.   If you enjoy the podcast, like, rate & review, tell your tango friends, & consider supporting us at https://www.patreon.com/tangostories   Check out the upcoming Tango en La terraza virtual concert series at https://www.tangoenlaterraza.com/

Be transported back in time with our Tango Stories Redux: republished episodes every other week opposite our new episodes. Originally aired as episode 30 of Tango Stories If you enjoy this podcast, you can support us at https://www.patreon.com/tangostories

In today's episode of Tango Stories, Meredith Klein talks to Leandro Ragusa & Omar Garcia Brunelli about their music careers, the evolution of tango music, Astor Piazzolla, & more.    If you enjoy Tango Stories, you can support us by going to https://www.patreon.com/tangostories

The Tango Stories Patreon will be up next week when our first new conversation comes out! Be sure to check the description of next week's episode for a link. Our guests next week will be Leandro Ragusa & Omar Garcia Brunelli. Thank you for listening. 

Tango Stories Episode 25 -- Aired January 30, 2019 Guest: Nastasja Vojnovic & Bruno Giuntini Episode 25 of Tango Stories aired on January 30, 2019 and featured young violinist Nastasja Vojnovic talking about her upcoming concert as part of the Fishtown Salon Concert Series. We were joined by WhatsApp from Buenos Aires by Composer/Violinist Bruno Giuntini, two of whose pieces Nastasja would premiere at the concert. Links to the Musical Examples in this episode: "El Calandrio" - Bruno Giuntini, Derrotas Cadenas "Corrientes y Montevideo" - Bruno Giuntini, Derrotas Cadenas "Cronocléptico and Cara y Seca" - Bruno Giuntini, Performed by Nastasja Vojinovic and Zhanara Makhmutova at the Philadelphia Argentine Tango School Fishtown Concert Series on February 9, 2019

Tango Stories Episode 24 -- Aired January 16, 2019 Guest: Mariano Castro Episode 24 aired on January 16, 2019 and featured pianist Mariano Castro. I originally knew him as the pianist of Narcotango. Now, Mariano arranges tango and other genres for symphony orchestras and performs around the world as a soloist. For more information about Mariano Castro: https://www.marianocastro.ro Links to the Musical Examples in this episode: "Invierno Porteño" - A. Piazzolla arranged by Mariano Castro, Filarmonica de Stat Targu Mures "Vi Luz y Subí" - Narcotango

Tango Stories Episode 23 -- Aired January 9, 2019 Guest: Hembra  Episode 23 broadcast on January 9, 2019 and featured Hembra, a singer-songwriter duo from La Plata, Argentina. They came into the studio for an interview and to record gorgeous live music at USALA. To learn more about Hembra and their music, you can find them on YouTube, Facebook and Spotify.  Note: This episode is in Spanish.  Links to the Musical Examples in this episode: "Canción" - Hembra "Hembra" - Hembra "Salvapantallas" - Original by Jorge Drexel

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: "El Entrerriano" - Anibal Troilo "Cuidado Con Los Cincuenta" - Carlos Di Sarli "Tinta Verde" - Anibal Troilo "El Once" - Osvaldo Fresedo "El Yacaré" - Ángel D’Agostino & Ángel Vargas

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: "Vorágine" - Pedro Giraudo Tango Quartet "Chicharrita" - Pedro Giraudo Tango Quartet "A Octavio Brunetti" - Pedro Giraudo Tango Quartet "La Rabiosa" - 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: "Yosl un Sore Dvoshe" - K. Broydo/F. Gordon "Ostatnia niedziela / Letstikn Shabes" - J. Petersburski/Z. Friedwald/A. Fisz "Rivkele - Rebeka" - Z. Białostocki

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 https://www.emilianomessiez.com 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: "El Día Que Me Quieras" - Carlos Gardel "Nada" - Mariela Marco "Naranjo En Flor" - Mariela Marco

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: "Tengo Mil Novias" - Enrique Rodriguez "Cafetin de Buenos Aires" - Astor Piazzolla y su Orquesta Tipica "Sueño de Juventud" - Theresia Thylin & the Ariel Iud Quartet

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: "Bien Milonga" - Osvaldo Pugliese "Esta Noche al Pasar" - Pedro Laurenz & Jorge Linares

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: "Siga El Baile" - Orquesta Romantica Milonguero "Jamas Ni Nunca" - La Juan D’Arienzo

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: "Derecho Viejo" - Osvaldo Pugliese "Queremos Paz" - Gotan Project