Austin Piazzolla Quintet

Tickets are $17 in advance, $22 day of show (including all service charges). They are also available through Hold My Ticket (112 2nd St SW), 505-886-1251, Monday to Friday 9 AM - 6 PM, Sat & Sun 11 AM - 6 PM.

The Austin Piazzolla Quintet [website | Amazon.com] specializes in the music of the late Argentine composer Astor Piazzolla as well as original nuevo tango compositions.  Founded by James Anderson (violin), the APQ has been performing to captivated audiences since 2009.  With Jonathan Geer (piano), Mike Maddux (accordion, bandoneon), Tony Rogers (cello), and Phil Spencer (bass), all from diverse musical backgrounds, the band continues the tradition of nuevo tango through intense live shows which feature unique arrangements of Piazzolla’s groundbreaking works, breathtaking original compositions, and fiery improvisation.

APQ released their first album, Libertango (2010), to rave reviews and sold-out performances in Texas, including a spot on the main stage at the Houston International Festival. The following album, Lo Que Vendra (2013), allowed APQ the opportunity to begin touring and performing in some of the finest listening rooms, jazz clubs, and performance halls in the nation. Their most recent album is Angels and Devils.

In addition to live shows and recordings, APQ has taken an active role in music education, having conducted clinics and master classes at universities and public schools with a focus on the performance techniques employed in tango, common compositional devices and the origins of the style. "The most difficult aspect of this music, after its technical challenges, is that so little of it is actually on the page," says Anderson. "Much like jazz, if you only play what's on the page, it lacks the passion, personal emotion, and sense of freedom which it absolutely needs."