National Geographic Music (National Geographic)

Argentine bandoneon master Dino Saluzzin and German cellist Anja Lechner are teaming up to tour selected North American cities this April, in support of their recently released record Ojos Negros (ECM). The album is a collection of Saluzzi's compositions for bandoneon and cello using a unique vocabulary based partially on Argentina's folk music

The short, eight-city tour will cross the country, beginning in Eugene, OR and winding up in Charleston, NC, and will showcase the duo's unique fusion of Argentine tango and European chamber music.

Saluzzi is one of the most important composers in contemporary South America, and a master of the bandoneon (button accordion).He has collaborated with American jazz greats Gato Barbieri and Charlie Haden, and two of his songs ("Gorrión" and "Coral Para Mi Pequeño y Lejano Pueblo") were featured in Spanish director Pedro Almadóvar's film All About My Mother.

Ojos Negros is a unique collaboration with German cellist Anja Lechner, featuring music that they have been developing together for many years. Lechner began traveling to Argentina two decades ago to explore tango traditions and their European links. Years later she was introduced to Saluzzi by ECM founder Manfred Eicher and the musicians found an instant connection blending European chamber music, American jazz, and Argentinean tango. Lechner is best known for her work with the Rosamunde String Quartet, who received a Grammy nomination in 2003.

Tour Dates:

April 18th Eugene, OR: The Shedd
April 19th Los Angeles, CA: Skirball Center
April 22nd San Francisco, CA: SFJAZZ Festival, Florence Gould Theater
April 24th New York, NY: Merkin Concert Hall
April 25th Miami, FL: Carnival Center for the Perf. Arts
April 27th Columbus, OH: Wexner Center
April 28th Buffalo, NY: Albright-Knox Gallery
May 28th Charleston, SC: Spoleto Festival, Sottile Theatre