WHO ARE TANGO PARADISO

The story began years ago when as a child I heard tango’s played by popular European orchestras of the 1930. My parents had migrated to Australia from Poland, and had brought with them a collection of old records which included tango and klezmer That was enough to make a profound impression. Although I dedicated my early musical studies to classical music, I always kept a hidden corner in my heart for these soulful melodies. Later, when Carla and I developed an interest in dancing Argentine tango, I felt it was time to explore tango music and create a live band. We began to transcribe music from our favourite CDs, listening to the great Argentinean bands of the 1930 and 40’s, and whenever friends visited Buenos Aires, they would scour the music shops for sheet music to bring home. I now have hundreds of tangos in my collection, enough to keep us going for years!

Our band, Tango Paradiso was established initially as a trio, but soon we added a flute and second violin to form our quintet. We searched in vain for a bandoneon player, and this may yet come about one day, but in the meantime, we have decided that the most essential ingredient to capture above all, is the energy and style of tango. Early tango ensembles in fact had a great variety of instruments, including flute, and other woodwinds, and did not always have the familiar sounds of the bandoneon. So we have substituted the bandoneon with the wonderful sound of Carla’s flute. Finally we commissioned a well known Argentinean musician, Facundo Bericat, to arrange traditional tango scores specifically for our ensemble. During 2009 2010 Marko Deferri, the visiting virtuoso accordionist from Slovenia, joined the bank and has added an exiting authentic sound to the ensemeble.

WHO ARE DOYNA

The name Doyna refers to a style of lament from Romania and Moldovia and is synonymous with plaintive, and soulful melodies. The Doyna is often used as an introduction to klezmer tunes. The interest in klezmer music with its multitude of interpretations has spread throughout the world. Its genesis came from the villages of Eastern Europe with influences from Balkan, Slavonic, Gypsy and Arabic sources.
Doyna duo, uses the traditional format of violin and accordion to explore this exotic blend of music. Moshlo’s roots in his European heritage have resulted in a vibrant connection with the soul of klezmer.
Doyna however also offers a repertoire of both klezmer and tango music. Recently Doyna produced its first c.d. ‘The Great Klezmer Duel’.

Individual CVs

MOSHLO has performed on the violin, both in Australia and overseas. He studied at the Paris Conservatorium before returning to Australia. He became an architect and taught architecture, as well as continuing his involvement with music. He was briefly a member of the Australia Chamber Orchestra, as well as other chamber music ensembles. Over the last few years he has devoted his time to music making, and developed an interest and a passion for the tango and East European music. His Polish Jewish background gives him a natural affinity with this style of music, enabling him to communicate the depth and scope of feelings which are at the heart of tango and klezmer.

CARLA THACKRAH, was principal flautist with the Australian Opera and Ballet, as well as the Sydney Symphony and other Australian orchestras for many years before branching out into composition and film making. Her experience, and brilliance as a solo performer, adds a unique sound to the band. More info about Carla is available at amcoz & before there was tango there was Wind Song & go to ambient/carla t earthgods [recorded with Moshlo]

ROLAND ADENEY most enjoys collaborating with fellow artists, be they musicians, poets, a cast of actors or acrobats. He composes and performs acoustic violin, mixed and electronic music for theatre, shows and recordings.

MARKO DEFERRI, is an accomplished chromatic accordion player. He was born in Slovenia and began music studies at an early age. His teachers were the famous master accordionist and pedagogues Zubitsky, Zajec, Biondini and Marko went on to win a prize at the prestigious Montese International Accordion Competition in 1999. He has been a professor of accordion for over 13 years in music schools, teaching throughout Slovenia. He formed an ethnic Slovenian folk band Goriski Fantje, which toured Europe. and has made a number of recordings with famous Slovenian singers Alenka Vidrih, Gianni Rijavec, and the string orchestra "Nova" .He has a wide ranging repertoire of music from Bach, Mozart, Handel to contemporary music, especially tango and Piazzolla. While living in Brisbane he joined up with Moshlo to perform in Doyna and Tango Paradiso. His brilliant sound, virtuosity, and improvisational skills have become a feature of these two bands. He has played an important role as lead accordionist within these two ensembles.

ROBERT DAVIDSON, is a composer, bassist and music lecturer. After working as a bassist in the Qld Symphony, Sydney Symphony and Australian Opera, he started his quintet Topology. His music is widely played by classical ensembles around the world.

ANDREW SHAW is an astoundingly versatile bass player, performing and recording straight-ahead and contemporary jazz with artists such as Trevor Hart, Dale Barlow, Katie Noonan and Bryan Ferry and Roxy Music; flamenco and gypsy with Sars and Jaleos Flamenco; contemporary music theatre with Lyndon Terracini through to the standard classical repertoire.

JOHN VARNEY is a noted Double-Bassist, arranger and bandleader in his own right and brings to Tango Paradiso the knowledge of a doctorate in Latin-American music. A graduate in classical Double Bass from S.Cecilia Conservatorium, Rome, Italy, he is well placed to combine the discipline and virtuosity of this training with the flexibility of a background in jazz and popular music performance.

MARINA VARNEY, Colombian-born vocalist Marina Varney is well known to Brisbane audiences for her performances with the ensembles and bands Colombia Linda, La Gran Salsa, Cachicamo, Jaleos Flamencos and now she is emerging as one of the Australia's finest women singers of tango.

TANGO PARADISO DANCERS is a group of tango dancers who perform regularly with Tango Paradiso as well as other events around Australia. All dancers have studied in Buenos Aires, the home of tango, where they have learnt the authentic styles of dance - including traditional ‘Salon Tango’ as well as contemporary ‘Nuevo Tango’. They have repeatedly performed at the Woodford Festival both as an ensemble as well as individual solo dancers. They are all experienced tango teachers, and regularly present tango workshops and classes.