Tango No. 9

Formed in 1998 the Bay Area ensemble Tango No. 9 explores tango music in its many manifestations — traditional dance music, vocal ballads, tango nuevo, and more recent compositions — bringing an idiosyncratic twist to each at Bird & Beckett.

“The trio of instruments — violin, piano, and trombone — may seem a far cry from the more traditional orquesta tipica, but the group’s ingenious arrangements capture a much larger sound, while the unorthodox brass instrument adds a new dimension to the mix. The group rebuilds old warhorses like “La Cumparsita” and “El Choclo”, and also digs deep into the more obscure nooks and crannies of the tango repertoire to unearth some rare gems. Tenor Zoltan DiBartolo mixes operatic training with a natural theatricality and a pop sensibility honed in the trenches of late-night warehouse parties and applies it to the most romantic and heart-breaking songs the world has ever known.” [Cotati Accordion Festival]