Berretineando by The New York Tango Jam Session

The idea driving this album was to make it danceable and use some of the best tango musicians in the US, and put Alex on bando and Evan on piano to keep things danceable. Now, Alex and Evan knew each other, but had yet to meet Pedro, Nick and Hector. We all finally met for the first time on a sunny morning in mid-town Manhattan in the studio.

The album was recorded in one day in the "a la parilla" style fo playing tangos - no arrangement were used (except La Ultima Curda and Triste Destino), and on tracks like "La Cumparsita," there was no sheet music at all. Alex said "play it minimal and a little dissonant," counted it off, and what you hear on this album is the first and only take.

Many thanks to Daniela for her support, to www.gmtango.com.ar for the use of the arrangement of La Ultima Curda, to the milongueros of today who keep it alive and real, to the grand orquestas of the past that provided us guidance, and to the tango bands of today that haven't forgotten about the dancers.

Here's to many more great tandas.