Pablo Ziegler: Quintet For New Tango

Life is full of surprises, and things aren't always what they appear to be on the surface. Many hidden mysteries are waiting to reveal themselves to the ones who seek them out. There will be times when you expect everything, and you get nothing. But there will also be times when you expect nothing, and you get everything. These are times we cherish the most, for these moments serve as a reminder that life need not be mundane; there is a lot to be excited about if we just open our eyes, our ears and our hearts. Hearing music by a new or previous unexplored artist is reason enough to get excited, and that was precisely my reaction when I first laid ears upon Quintet For New Tango , a new CD by pianist, arranger, and composer Pablo Zeigler. Zeigler is an accomplished player and composer, who from 1978 to 1988 was a member of the late Astor Piazzolla's quintet. Piazzolla, a composer and bandoneon player from Argentina, almost single-handedly re-invented the tango, introducing modern tonality to it's vibrant rhythmic structure.

This CD is proof that Piazzolla had a profound influence on Ziegler, who has assembled a fine quintet which features Enrique Sinesi on bandoneon for most of the cuts on this disc. The quintet plays a well rounded and spirited set of exquisitely orchestrated originals by Ziegler and by Astor Piazolla. 10 out of the 12 tunes were recorded in Buenos Aires and feature Zeigler's working group; the other 2 tunes were recorded in New York City with a quintet, plus Joe Lovano on tenor saxophone. There are ballads like the haunting "Milongueta", and the pretty "El Vals del Duende", spirited tangos such as "Imagenes" and "Desde Otros Tiempos", and darker, brooding themes like "Conexion Portena"and "Ritmico y Nostalgico". Lovano's role on "Once again...Milonga", and "Muchacha de Boedo" is largely that of ensemble player, but it is always nice to hear his warm tenor, no matter what the context. All in all, a very intriguing set by one Pablo Zeigler, a talented man who has a lot to say, and says it with clarity, focus and conviction. Recommended.