In 1960 Astor Piazzolla put together the First Quintet an ensemble comprised of a violin, an electric guitar, a double bass and a piano, with Piazzolla himself performing on bandoneon. The formation remains the most authentic expression of the Nuevo Tango style.
Scottish accordion virtuoso James Crabb is Australias leading Piazzolla authority, and has long dreamed of establishing his own quintet. With Sydney Symphony Orchestra Concertmaster Andrew Haveron on violin, 2019 Freedman Classical Fellow Rohan Dasika on double bass, young jazz superstar Joshua Meader on guitar, and award-winning pianist Stefan Cassomenos at the keyboard, this is about as good as it gets.
Together they play music by Tomas Gubitsch, Gustavo Beytelmann, Antonio Agri and Jose Carli in a program framed by iconic works of Astor Piazzolla.
Just try to resist the urge to dance.