Bandonegro is a world-class European tango ensemble, founded in 2010, one of the most intriguing and recognisable performers of this musical style. They specialise in both traditional Argentinean tango and tango nuevo, as well as composing their own pieces, adding the elements of jazz and classical music. Their incredible passion, ideas for music, fresh sound and unique style that is perfect for dancing have won the hearts of audiences all over the world. They have been deemed one of the best tango orchestras of their generation.
At the very onset of their career, when they were 18, Bandonegro won the international competition PIF Castelfidardo in Italy. Only a year later they recorded their first album Tango Nuevo by Astor Piazzolla. Since then, they have been constantly intensifying their activities aimed at the promotion of the tango in Poland by performing with numerous projects in prestigious concert halls, philharmonics and musical theatres.
They have presented their music during tango and jazz festivals all over Poland, such as Krakus Aires Tango Festival, Recuerdo Warsaw Tango Festival, Łódź Tango Salon Festival and Podlasie Jazz Festival, and abroad: in Argentina (Argentina Tango Salon), Germany (Schleswig Holstein Music Festival), Italy (Torino Tango Festival), France (Toulouse Tango Festival), Denmark (Copenhagen Jazz Festival), Sweden (Stockholm Tango Festival), Switzerland (Oster Tango Festival Basel), Finland (World of Tango Festival) and Portugal (Porto Tango Festival).
The band creates concert projects with prominent dancers of the tango scene, such as Clarisa Aragon and Jonathan Saavedra (past World Tango Champions), Roxana Suarez and Sebastian Achaval, Facundo Pinero and Vanesa Villalba, Los Totis, as well as tango singers and musicians: Nelson Pino, Roberto Siri, Carlos Roulet and Andres Martorell.
In 2019, Bandonegro was on a five-week tour in the Argentinean Buenos Aires, performing in numerous prestigious clubs, for example, Canning and La Viruta, and during the Argentina Tango Salon Festival. They presented a special version of Gallo Ciego during the finals of Buenos Aires Tango World Cup – the largest tango event in the world. As the only Polish artists so far, they had an opportunity to perform for José Colángelo, the last Troilo orchestra pianist, and Fernando Suárez Paz, a legendary violinist, who was a long-standing member of Astor Piazzola’s quintet.
Bandonegro has already recorded five albums published by prestigious Polish record labels: Dux, RecArt and SJRecords. Tanchestron (2017), Tangostoria (2020) and Color Aires (2022) are more traditional, whereas Tango Nuevo by Astor Piazzolla (2011) and the original Hola Astor (2019) present a fusion of tango and some elements of jazz and rock, which has been deemed revolutionary by music critics.
The musicians more and more often turn towards composing their own pieces for such renowned institutions as, for example, the German Association of Public Broadcasting Corporations ARD and the Henryk Wieniawski Musical Society of Poznań. Bandonegro has received a scholarship from the Mayor of Poznań for their exceptional musical achievements, and a Medal of Young Art, awarded to talented artists from the Wielkopolska Province. They have also been granted an honorary patronage by the embassy of Argentina in Poland.
“In the last 12 months these young Polish gentlemen have become one of the most popular bands performing on the most important milongas and festivals in the whole Europe.” Tangodanza Magazine (Germany)
“Unique energy and exceptional sound. There are four of them, but it sounds as if it was an orchestra consisting of ten!” Nito Garcia (legendary Argentinean dancer)
“Your music reaches deep into the heart. I’m happy that I could listen to you!” Fernando Suarez Paz, Astor Piazzolla’s legendary violinist
“I never expected that Poles could play such a fabulous TANGO! Great respect!” José Colángelo, the last pianist in Anibal Troilo’s orchestra
“Bandonegro isn’t just a band, it’s a phenomenon on the Polish music scene” Adam Baruch (JazzForum, PolishJazz)
Bandoneon/Accordion – Michał Główka, Violin – Jakub Czechowicz,
Piano – Marek Dolecki, Double Bass – Marcin Antkowiak
Workshop
Saturday 18:00-19:00
Musicality Workshop with Members of the Bandonegro Tango Orchestra
Website: www.bandonegro.com
The Sheffield Tango Festival 