People Directory

Astor Piazzolla was an Argentine bandoneonist and composer born in Mar del Plata. He began learning the bandoneon during his family's years in New York and later brought jazz and classical influences into tango.

His ensembles made the bandoneon a leading voice in music written for concert listening as well as tango. He wrote Adiós Nonino after his father’s death; it is known through his own recordings and later performances. Libertango is another signature piece of his approach beyond traditional dance forms. With changing ensembles and rhythms, he built a new tango sound around the bandoneon.