Conductor, composer and arranger Pedro has released a p air of intriguing albums that combine Argentina and jazz. Take a gander! Most intriguing about the sounds in Bigor Tanguero is the inclusion of the quartet of Nick Danielson/vi, Rodolfo Zanetti/band, Emilio Teubal/p and the leader on bass to mix Old World chamber sounds as on “Yoragine,” the folksy tango “Con Un Nudo en la Garganta” and elliptical “Desavenencias”. The mix of violin and strings create bouncy capriccios as on “Chicharrita” and “La Rabiosa” while the team forms rich sauces during “Despagego” and the brooding “Entre Bambalinas.” A wondrous journey of worlds and moods.
On the second album Giraudo fronts the classy WDR Big Band for some richly textured and harmonized mixes of jazz and modern Argentine moods. The WDR band is in full force with some dark and dramatic turns on “Mentiras” while the brass section gets bold on”Lapidario.” Pablo Held’s melancholy piano teams with Shannon Barnett’s agonizing trombone on”Eir.” Hans Deckers drums rumble on the early mood of the four part “Desconsuelo Suite” before Jens Heufang’s baritone goes bel canto on “Con Un Nudo En La Garganta” and the percussion takes over on “La Bronca.” Exciting moods full of expression.