San Francisco not only has great dancers but also many great musicians. We are lucky to have a few live Tango orchestras to grace us with their music. Below is a description of the Tango orchestra’s that play at various venues around the Bay Area. Please check TangoMango or their websites to see where they will be playing next.
Trio Garufa
Trio Garufa is considered one of the most versatile contemporary interpreters of Argentine Tango, mixing a deep respect for tango’s Golden Era with the innovation of the modern Nuevo Tango movement. Their music is powerful, passionate and always danceable. Trio Garufa has performed across Argentina, Canada and the US. The ensemble performs Classic Argentine Tangos from the golden era (30′s- 50′s) as well as Argentine Folkloric Music (Chacarera, Zamba, Guarania, Gato, Chamamé) and modern Tangos from Piazzolla as well as Electro-Tango and their original compositions. They are the only Tango ensemble in the US to have performed extensively in the Milongas (Tango Dance Clubs) of Buenos Aires. Trio Garufa consists of three very talented musicians, Guillermo Garcia on guitar, Adrian Jost on Accordion/Bandoneon, and Sascha Jacobsen on Bass. They will be releasing their third album at the end of April 2012. Visit website
Seth Asarnow Y Su Sexteto Tipico
One of the most popular orchestra's in San Francisco, this sextet's style of playing ranges from the tango orchestras of the 40's to the more contemporary arrangements of well-known tango pieces. They have been lauded for their superb renditions of tangos authentic enough to make dancers forget they are dancing to live music and not the original recording from the 40's. Members include: Seth Asarnow, Julian Ramil, Cynthia Mei, Michael Thomas, Dan Highman, Christopher Johnson. They play regularly at various location around San Francisco. visit website
Tangonero
Tangonero specializes in classic tango — a genre that fuses intense passion with quiet tenderness, alternating sharp percussive rhythms with slow nostalgic melodies. The ensemble consists of Violinist Michele Walther, Jacob Johnson on double bass, Zac "Sharbidar" Selissen on guitar,and Alex Roitman on accordion. They play regularly at Seahorse restaurant (305 Harbor Drive in Sausalito). visit website
Tango No.9
Tango No. 9, now on their 4th album, commingles traditional tango elements with classical counterpoint, wild jazz improvisation with modern tango, from Piazzolla to Kurt Weill, creating tango nuevo with a unique American twist. Tango No. 9 performs at milongas, festivals, concert halls, and clubs across the Western U.S. visit website
Redwood Tango Ensemble
The Redwood Tango Ensemble is a new group in the Bay Area, specializing in classic tangos and expressive instrumentation. Charles Gorczynski on bandoneon and saxophones and Holly Mead on piano, comprise the heart of the ensemble, playing energetic duet sets as well as arranging for an upcoming quintet. visit website
