Modern Tango World #5 (Mexico)

Paco Barrón Group has collaborated with all tango
artists that have visited Mexico, since the 70s.
The recent history of tango in Mexico would not
be the same without the presence of Paco Barrón,
who from a young age took the path of music.
He established many musical groups and has been
part of many others. His exceptional quality in
playing the bass and, above all, the piano, leads to a
group that plays every Friday, without fail, for dancers
at the Arrabalero milonga. For many years, he
was the musical director of the television program,
Añoranzas, on Channel 11. The show ran for many
decades. The list of musicians who were showcased
on it is very long.
Los Pibes (The Guys) is a group of brothers who
have dedicated their lives to tango music since
childhood. They are the children of Don Ricardo
Perez, a great fan of Argentina popular music. Don
Ricardo’s first instrument was a guitar. He instilled
in their children the love for Rio Plata culture. After
a while, they acquired a bandoneon and were overpowered
by it. Today, without the presence of Don
Ricardo, Los Plibes include Angel Perez (bandoneon),
Rafael Perez (guitar, piano, bandoneon, and
vocals), Ruben Perez (bandoneon), Linda Perez
(vocals), and Martin Perez who dances Malambo
and other Argentine folkloric dances. They have
collaborated with a number of artists, such as Esther
Soler and Hugo Jordan.
In a heartfelt way, the authentic flavor and love
shows through in their interpretations of a traditional
repertoire. Their popularity is testimony to
the artistic longevity of their work.
Tango Nuevo has kept working for many years.
It started in 1998, founded by its director, Victor
Madariaga. The musicians are graduates of the
National School of Music. The instrumentation
of the group has changed over time. Initially, it was
comprised solely of accordion, violin and bass. Five
years later, they introduced the piano and guitar.
At first, they were accompanied by different singers,
until they found their solo voice — Liliana
Buneder. Their current lineup includes Frania
Mayorquín (piano), Rodrigo Lluch (violin), Victor
Madariaga (bandoneon) and Mario Cortés
(bass). Sometimes, they play with the Orquesta
Mexicana de Tango. Tango Nuevo was the first
Mexican group to give a concert in Buenos Aires.
It has maintained a clean style and high quality
interpretation that led them to represent Mexico
at major international festivals, such as the First
International Festival Astor Piazzolla, in Mar del
Plata. Currently, they offer a purely instrumental
performance that adapts smoothly to both social
dance and stage. They cover many of the prominent
composers from tango history, including
Astor Piazzolla, Osvaldo Pugliese, Horacio
Salgán, Juan d’Arienzo, as well as some current
music from contemporary tango.
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