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Jorge Retamoza

An argentine saxophonist and composer that works over tango, taking jazz gestures, chamber and academic procedures, and carries out an innovative work over the music of Buenos Aires.

About Me

Jorge Retamoza is one of the saxophonists from Argentine who has more deeply developed the inclusion of his instrument in tango language. This work can be heard on record albums with his group and more than a dozen collaborations with other artists. The Argentine press has referred to his music: ”tango and jazz elements, creating an unprecedented mixture sound and, at times, overwhelming.” For almost twenty years Retamoza has built with his original compositions a musical body based on the tango, the jazz gestures and academic procedures that put his writing and playing in an originality area, finding new ways to understand the tradition and future of Buenos Aires music. Leading his group he has toured Argentina, South America, Europe and under the auspices of the Department of Cultural Affairs of the Foreign Ministry Argentina, through the USA. This project performs regularly in theaters, festivals, cultural centers, and universities, as well as offer master classes in public and private educational institutes of America and Europe. He is the author of “The tango from the Saxo” book commissioned by Melos Ed. Music, which includes a series of practical works, studies, examples, transcriptions to develop a sound and a way to interpret Buenos Aires music from the sax. In permanent activity also he plays as guest soloist in a symphonic environment. In this academic field has also released several works: “Concerto for Tenor Saxophone Bandoneon and Orchestra”, “Three Scenes Porteñas” (for two Bass Clarinets and Symphonic Band), “In Black and White Buenos Aires” (for Bandoneon soloist and six Percussionists) Concertango, for baritone Sax and Orchestra ( Argentine National Arts Fund Award 2016) He has composed music for TV and radio, for exhibitions and installations in galleries and museums as well as music for film animation, in collaboration with artist Pablo Delfini, have obtained various national and international awards. In 1998 obtained by contest the baritone sax place for the Buenos Aires Symphonic Band, also Retamoza dictates the sax lessons at the Manuel Falla Conservatory (Argentine Music Chair) He was part of various jazz groups playing with leading musicians of the genre of Argentine: Diego Urcola, Juan Cruz de Urquiza, Jorge Navarro, Hugo Pierre, Guillermo Romero, Daniel Piazzolla, etc. Professionally, he played and recorded with different groups sharing the stage with artists like Raul Lavie, Walter Rios, Guillermo Fernandez, Victor Pellegrini, Los Tarantos, etc. He had toured and recorded with international stars like Isabel Pantoja, Sandro and Celia Cruz as a member of their groups and orchestras.

My Jazz Story

I love jazz because is intense, human, creative. I was first exposed to jazz by Bitches Brew a Miles Davis record. The best show I ever attended was Michael Brecker Quartet with Joey Calderazzo, James Genus and Jeff "Tain" Watts at Punta del Este Jazz Festival. The first jazz record I bought was Heavy Weather by Weather Report.