Pablo Ziegler: Buenos Aires Report

To hear the delightful sounds of Argentinean tango/jazz pianist, Pablo Ziegler and his trio on Buenos Aires Report is to allow oneself the indulgence of being transported to strolling the streets of Buenos Aires or to be swept into a scene of casual open-air dining at a late night café in Paris. The music is a sensuous combination of tango-inspired melodies with elements of classical music, jazz improvisational techniques and a sprinkling of gypsy bravado.

This is definitely music that can set a mood, allowing the listener to depart from everyday environs for a short sojourn into a more romantic world. Fans looking for virtuosity will not be disappointed by the artistry displayed by these accomplished musicians. But while their individual techniques can certainly be appreciated it is their commitment to the overall sound and dedication to the setting of the musical landscape that makes this a pleasing outing.

The music is inspired by the work of the late bandoneon virtuoso Astor Piazzolla, with whom Ziegler once played. The instrument's sumptuous other-world quality played by the accomplished Walter Castro is a key element to the overall sound and mood that is evoked. One senses that Ziegler's piano work is almost secondary to his compositional skills, which are formidable. His melodies are at times reminiscent of Michel Legrand or Claude Bolling, all the while retaining his Tango Nuevo roots.

Ziegler's subtle interplay with the talented guitarist Quique Sinesi is spontaneous yet beautifully interwoven, a product of their long association together. The robust but sensitive playing of the bandoneon by Castro is the perfect compliment that completes the musical soul of this trio. A previous recording Bajo Cero(Khaeon World Music), with the same personnel, won the Latin Grammy for best tango album in 2005.

At times it is easy to visualize a movie being played against the backdrop of this marvelously evocative music. The live recording was performed in front of an obviously receptive audience in Amsterdam in 2006, and features eight compositions by Ziegler and one by Sinesi, along with the ever-popular Astor Piazzolla tune, "Libertango. While perhaps not for everyone's taste, this record stands on its own merits as a look into the stirring qualities that Tango Nuevo music can evoke, and the interesting way disparate cultures can fuse multiple musical traditions—tango, classical and jazz—into a distinctive musical language all its own.

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