From Medellin, Colombia, Blandon Correa is the bandoneon player in the popular Colombian tango quintet, F-31. He is also the bandoneón player on the Pan American Symphony Orchestra’s recording Tango of the Americas, which won a Latin Grammy nomination in 2021. Two of the songs on that recording were composed by Blandón Correa. In 2021 at the Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts in Washington, D.C., Blandón Correa was the featured guest soloist for PASO's tribute concert to Astor Piazzolla. He has participated in DC Tango Festival with the F-31 on two occasions.
Born and raised in Buenos Aires, Javier Sánchez has been playing the bandoneón for almost 30 years. He has been a member of Latin Grammy Award nominee Rodolfo Mederos Orquesta Típica; toured the world with tango companies such as Tango Pasión, Tanguera, and Tango Emotion. In 2016, he relocated to New York City and collaborated with Aces of Rhythm directed by Pablo Aslan , Pan American Symphony Orchestra, and the Astoria Tango Orchestra. He won First Prize at the renowned Che Bandoneon International Competition judged by bandoneón legend Victor Lavallén. In 2018 Mr. Sanchez became Music Director of Che Tangazo Orchestra based in Montreal, Canada, making its debut at Tango BA Festival and World Cup.
Heyni regularly performs with the Da Capo Tango Orchestra, which focuses on playing danceable tangos and is part of the cello-bandoneon duo, Arco & Aire, with cellist Maxfield Wollam-Fisher. She is also the bandoneon player with Solidaridad Tango Orquesta which focuses on female tango musicians in a typically male dominated genre. Solera’s current and future projects include “Today’s Tango with Heyni”, a mini-series that features today’s contemporary tango musicians throughout the world, the EP album Overture, an original contemporary tango recording project with Arco & Aire, and a bandoneón duo album, El Bandoneon en Bach, dedicated to J.S. Bach (released in March 2022).
From Florence, South Carolina, Chris grew up listening to the sounds of gospel, soul, R&B, and blues. Chris would later pull from these early listening experiences to develop his overall approach to music today. Chris’ natural fluency in both classical and jazz styles separates him from most musicians.
Ahmed, a leading young pianist in New York City today, is originally from Cuba. He studied classical music under both Cuban and Russian teachers and made his orchestral debut at age 17 with the Mexican Philharmonic Orchestra, performing Rhapsody in Blue. Ahmed is also a jazz and Latin jazz pianist and an expert on Cuban popular piano music. He is currently a student at the Manhattan School of Music.
Ahmed, a leading young pianist in New York City today, is originally from Cuba. He studied classical music under both Cuban and Russian teachers and made his orchestral debut at age 17 with the Mexican Philharmonic Orchestra, performing Rhapsody in Blue. Ahmed is also a jazz and Latin jazz pianist and an expert on Cuban popular piano music. He is currently a student at the Manhattan School of Music.
Ahmed, a leading young pianist in New York City today, is originally from Cuba. He studied classical music under both Cuban and Russian teachers and made his orchestral debut at age 17 with the Mexican Philharmonic Orchestra, performing Rhapsody in Blue. Ahmed is also a jazz and Latin jazz pianist and an expert on Cuban popular piano music. He is currently a student at the Manhattan School of Music.
Named after the model of airplane that in 1935 carried famous tango singer, Carlos Gardel, when it crashed in Medellin, Colombia killing him and all passengers, this talented group from Medellin is made up of piano, violin, guitar, double bass and bandoneon. They made their Washington, DC debut with the Pan American Symphony Orchestra in 2018.
Latin Grammy Award winner bassist and composer, Pedro Giraudo, is among the most compelling tango artists today. After two decades performing with the most important interpreters of tango, Giraudo debuted his own Tango Orchestra at Lincoln Center’s Midsummer Night Swing in July 2015 and since then has become an active cultural ambassador of this beautiful and passionate music of his native Argentina.
Formed in 2012 in Buenos Aires, this 11-piece orchestra plays in the original swinging style made famous by Juan D’Arienzo, who was known as the Rey del Compás, or the King of the Rhythm during his heyday between 1950 and 1976, when he passed away. The orchestra's bandoneón player, Facundo Lazzari, is the grandson of D’Arienzo’s original bandoneon player and arranger, Carlos Lazzari.
Formed in 2012 in Buenos Aires, this 11-piece orchestra plays in the original swinging style made famous by Juan D’Arienzo, who was known as the Rey del Compás, or the King of the Rhythm during his heyday between 1950 and 1976, when he passed away. The orchestra's bandoneón player, Facundo Lazzari, is the grandson of D’Arienzo’s original bandoneon player and arranger, Carlos Lazzari.
Born in Uruguay, classical guitarist, Duhagon has performed across America, Europe, and the Middle East. Her playing is noted for its refined expressiveness as well as for the enchantment of her phrasing. She studied under Berta Rojas and was a part of the Rojas - Duhagon Guitar Duo and a member of the Del Sur Guitar Quartet with Berta Rojas, Nestor Ausqui and Marcelo Cornut.
From Buenos Aires, Argentina, Rosalia and Alejandro are professional tango dancers, instructors, and choreographers. They have danced with the critically acclaimed shows Tanguera with the Mora Godoy dance company and Entre Borges y Piazzolla by the Juan Carlos Copes dance company.
Adriana Salgado and Orlando Reyes, natives of Colombia, have been professional dancers and teachers of Argentine tango for almost twenty years. With backgrounds in classical ballet, they both studied tango in Buenos Aires.. Based in New York City, their performances are noted for their romantic, elegant style with a focus on the subtleties of the embrace and connection.
Dani Cortaza specializes in Brazilian, Latin jazz, and South America folk music, in both nylon and electric jazz guitar. His most recent recording, Together/Oñondivé includes Cortaza's own compositions and arrangements of Paraguayan and South American folk music combined with elements of jazz.
María Juncal, born in Las Palmas de Gran Canaria, is a bailaora with solid training in ballet and Spanish classical dance. She is the embodiment of the inherited talent and spirit that comes with being the living legacy of several generations of authentic Spanish flamenco dancers and guitarists.
María Juncal, born in Las Palmas de Gran Canaria, is a bailaora with solid training in ballet and Spanish classical dance. She is the embodiment of the inherited talent and spirit that comes with being the living legacy of several generations of authentic Spanish flamenco dancers and guitarists.
Praised by the Washington Post as "the richest and most expressive voice...with a memorable mezzo-soprano – round and clear with a smoky finish…Castrello has a powerful and passionate voice...." A native of Guaynabo, Puerto Rico, Castrello stands out as one of the most impressive and versatile artists and singers in the Washington, DC area.
Born in San Miguel de Tucuman, Argentina a, Ahualli received a Master’s degree in vocal performance from the Instituto Superior de Arte, Teatro Colón, in Buenos Aires. An avid recitalist, Ahualli champions the Argentine, Latin American, French and Italian Art song. He is a member of the voice faculty of the Benjamin T. Rome School of Music at The Catholic University of America and the Director of the Latin American Music Center at The Catholic University of America.
Born in San Miguel de Tucuman, Argentina a, Ahualli received a Master’s degree in vocal performance from the Instituto Superior de Arte, Teatro Colón, in Buenos Aires. An avid recitalist, Ahualli champions the Argentine, Latin American, French and Italian Art song. He is a member of the voice faculty of the Benjamin T. Rome School of Music at The Catholic University of America and the Director of the Latin American Music Center at The Catholic University of America.
Raised inSouthern Illinois, steeped in the church choir, Ms. Paul was influenced by gospel and blues, cultivating a special place in her heart for jazz. She left her home town for Nashville to study music where she also worked at various record labels and as a studio session singer. She soon began touring as background vocalist with country superstar Wynonna, The Judd's and most recently, pop sensation, Kelly Clarkson.
Chaise Lounge performs a blend of music that sounds like it was recorded at Capitol Recording Studios in 1962 and somehow found its way to today’s pop charts. You might call it “Early Stereo.” It is the combination of five of the Washington, DC area’s top jazz musicians playing sparkling arrangements of standards and original tunes, and featuring the soft, luminous vocals of Marilyn Older.
Originally from Argentina, Romina lives in Barcelona, Spain. She has released 3 albums to date "Disfrazada de mi" (Dressed up as myself), “Sin Lagrimas” (Without Tears) and “Raices de Pasion (Roots of Passion)”. A regular performer in Finland, Romina has toured that country 15 times.
Rei has carried diverse Latin American traditions from her native Buenos Aires to the multi-cultural mecca of New York City, where she’s fused those sounds with jazz, classical, pop, and electronic music influences to forge a singular and ever-evolving sound.
Chilean tenor Miranda was a Washington National Opera Domingo-Cafritz Young Artist. He has performed with the Virginia Chamber Orchestra, as soloist in Mozart's Requiem at the Washington National Cathedral and in other performances at the Kennedy Center and Georgetown University. He sang for a number of years with the Opera de Lima in Peru. He regularly performs with the Maryland Lyric Opera.
History
(PASO) was founded 30 years ago by dynamic Argentine conductor and musician, Sergio Alessandro Bušlje, with the objective of bringing Latin American symphonic music to Washington, DC concert halls. Maestro Bušlje had studied and performed standard classical repertoire for many years but noticed a gap in the area’s cultural offerings—Latin American music was not fully represented in area performances, even though our Latin American neighbors possess a treasure trove of symphonic works that beg to be played.
(PASO) was founded 30 years ago by dynamic Argentine conductor and musician, Sergio Alessandro Bušlje, with the objective of bringing Latin American symphonic music to Washington, DC concert halls. Maestro Bušlje had studied and performed standard classical repertoire for many years but noticed a gap in the area’s cultural offerings—Latin American music was not fully represented in area performances, even though our Latin American neighbors possess a treasure trove of symphonic works that beg to be played.
(PASO) was founded 30 years ago by dynamic Argentine conductor and musician, Sergio Alessandro Bušlje, with the objective of bringing Latin American symphonic music to Washington, DC concert halls. Maestro Bušlje had studied and performed standard classical repertoire for many years but noticed a gap in the area’s cultural offerings—Latin American music was not fully represented in area performances, even though our Latin American neighbors possess a treasure trove of symphonic works that beg to be played.
Over the years
Over the years
Over the years
rarely performed works by composers from Argentina, Mexico, Ecuador, El Salvador, Honduras, Costa Rica, Uruguay, Venezuela, Cuba, and Brazil. PASO has performed zarzuelas (Spanish opera) from Spain and Cuba and Spanish operas, such as La Vida Breve and Goyescas. The orchestra has dedicated a concert series to Latin American women composers and was the first orchestra in the Washington, DC area to perform the unusual, but beautifully melodic, tango-opera Maria de Buenos Aires, by Astor Piazzolla.
rarely performed works by composers from Argentina, Mexico, Ecuador, El Salvador, Honduras, Costa Rica, Uruguay, Venezuela, Cuba, and Brazil. PASO has performed zarzuelas (Spanish opera) from Spain and Cuba and Spanish operas, such as La Vida Breve and Goyescas. The orchestra has dedicated a concert series to Latin American women composers and was the first orchestra in the Washington, DC area to perform the unusual, but beautifully melodic, tango-opera Maria de Buenos Aires, by Astor Piazzolla.
rarely performed works by composers from Argentina, Mexico, Ecuador, El Salvador, Honduras, Costa Rica, Uruguay, Venezuela, Cuba, and Brazil. PASO has performed zarzuelas (Spanish opera) from Spain and Cuba and Spanish operas, such as La Vida Breve and Goyescas. The orchestra has dedicated a concert series to Latin American women composers and was the first orchestra in the Washington, DC area to perform the unusual, but beautifully melodic, tango-opera Maria de Buenos Aires, by Astor Piazzolla.
Three decades later
Three Decades Later
Three Decades Later
PASO continues to thrill
PASO continues to thrill
audiences with high quality shows of music originating from Latin America. With an on-going concert series that showcases gifted Latin American musicians and soloists, critical acclaim from the media, and a loyal following from the public, PASO remains on the cutting edge of symphonic performances with newly commissioned works, such as Danzon no. 7, by eminent contemporary Mexican composer, Arturo Marquez, who dedicated this beautiful piece to Maestro Bušlje.
audiences with high quality shows of music originating from Latin America. With an on-going concert series that showcases gifted Latino musicians and soloists, critical acclaim from the media, and a loyal following from the public, PASO remains on the cutting edge of symphonic performances with newly commissioned works, such as Danzon no. 7, by eminent contemporary Mexican composer, Arturo Marquez, who dedicated this beautiful piece to Maestro Bušlje.
audiences with high quality shows of music originating from Latin America. With an on-going concert series that showcases gifted Latino musicians and soloists, critical acclaim from the media, and a loyal following from the public, PASO remains on the cutting edge of symphonic performances with newly commissioned works, such as Danzon no. 7, by eminent contemporary Mexican composer, Arturo Marquez, who dedicated this beautiful piece to Maestro Bušlje.
(PASO) was founded 30 years ago by dynamic Argentine conductor and musician, Sergio Alessandro Bušlje, to bring Latin American symphonic music to Washington, DC concert halls. Maestro Bušlje had performed standard classical repertoire for many years but noticed a gap in the area’s cultural offerings—Latin American music was not fully represented in area performances, even though our Latin American neighbors possess a treasure trove of symphonic works that beg to be played.
Upcoming Concerts
rarely performed works by composers from Argentina, Mexico, Ecuador, El Salvador, Honduras, Costa Rica, Uruguay, Venezuela, Cuba, and Brazil. PASO has performed zarzuelas (light opera) from Spain and Cuba and Spanish operas, such as La Vida Breve and Goyescas. The orchestra has dedicated a concert series to Latin American women composers and was the first orchestra in the Washington, DC area to perform the unusual, but beautifully melodic, tango-opera Maria de Buenos Aires, by Astor Piazzolla.
audiences with high quality shows of music originating from Latin America. With an on-going concert series that showcases gifted Latino musicians and soloists, critical acclaim from the press, and a loyal following from the public, PASO remains on the cutting edge of symphonic performances with newly commissioned works, such as Danzon no. 7, by eminent contemporary Mexican composer, Arturo Marquez, who dedicated this beautiful piece to Maestro Bušlje.
Upcoming Concerts
UPCOMING CONCERTS
I have experienced PASO both from the stage and from the audience and have never been disappointed; in fact I have on every occasion been both impressed and inspired.
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Thank you for an incredible performance at our Labor Day Weekend Music Festival at the Historic Lincoln Theater on September 2, 2016. PASO's artistry and professionalism showed in the quality of the performance and it enriched the evening's experience for our guests.
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. . . Sergio Buslje, with whom I sang at a benefit concert at the Organization of American States in Washington, DC. Given the daunting task of preparing a highly gifted but nevertheless youth orchestra with minimal rehearsals, Mr. Buslje gave a dynamic reading of zarzuelas and popular Spanish music. It was a pleasure working with him.
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[PASO] is truly a gem and I commend you for your commitment and dedication to the art form.
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The Orchestra accompanied Chita Rivera and me at the Latino Inaugural Celebration on January 20, 2013. In spite of such short notice, the Orchestra and its leadership rose to the occasion and because of its level of professionalism and musicality, the performance was quite a success.
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PASO has demonstrated quality musicianship and brings a fresh appreciation and awareness to Latin American and Spanish contributions to the classical repertoire. PASO is an important cultural institution, successfully creating a public interest in the wealth of Latin American talent.
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PASO is truly one of the great bright lights in our city. I can think of few other organizations that operate so consistently on the strength of volunteerism, a passion for beauty and culture, and a high degree of commitment to the idea that cultivation of the aesthetic senses can contribute to marked improvement in the community.
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From Medellin, Colombia, Blandon Correa is the bandoneon player in the popular Colombian tango quintet, F-31. He is also the bandoneón player on the Pan American Symphony Orchestra’s recording Tango of the Americas, which won a Latin Grammy nomination in 2021. Two of the songs on that recording were composed by Blandón Correa. In 2021 at the Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts in Washington, D.C., Blandón Correa was the featured guest soloist for PASO's tribute concert to Astor Piazzolla. He has participated in DC Tango Festival with the F-31 on two occasions.
Born and raised in Buenos Aires, Javier Sánchez has been playing the bandoneón for almost 30 years. He has been a member of Latin Grammy Award nominee Rodolfo Mederos Orquesta Típica; toured the world with tango companies such as Tango Pasión, Tanguera, and Tango Emotion. In 2016, he relocated to New York City and collaborated with Aces of Rhythm directed by Pablo Aslan , Pan American Symphony Orchestra, and the Astoria Tango Orchestra. He won First Prize at the renowned Che Bandoneon International Competition judged by bandoneón legend Victor Lavallén. In 2018 Mr. Sanchez became Music Director of Che Tangazo Orchestra based in Montreal, Canada, making its debut at Tango BA Festival and World Cup.
Ariel Pirotti was born in Buenos Aires, Argentina.
He is a pianist, composer, arranger, orchestra director and teacher. A graduate of the National University of the Arts in Argentina with a degree in music, in 2020 he won first prize in tango composition from the Argentine National Fund for the Arts. He was nominated in 2017 for the Latin Grammy in the category of Best Tango Album. He received the 2016 Gardel Award as the Best New Tango Artist.
Born in San Miguel de Tucuman, Argentina, Ahualli received a Master’s degree in vocal performance from the Instituto Superior de Arte, Teatro Colón, in Buenos Aires. An avid recitalist, Ahualli champions the Argentine, Latin American, French and Italian Art song. He is a member of the voice faculty of the Benjamin T. Rome School of Music at The Catholic University of America and the Director of the Latin American Music Center at The Catholic University of America.
Raised inSouthern Illinois, steeped in the church choir, Ms. Paul was influenced by gospel and blues, cultivating a special place in her heart for jazz. She left her home town for Nashville to study music where she also worked at various record labels and as a studio session singer.
Named after the model of airplane that in 1935 carried famous tango singer, Carlos Gardel. This talented group from Medellin is made up of piano, violin, guitar, double bass and bandoneon. They made their Washington, DC debut with the Pan American Symphony Orchestra in 2018.
Formed in 2012 in Buenos Aires, this 11-piece orchestra plays in the original swinging style made famous by Juan D’Arienzo, who was known as the Rey del Compás, or the King of the Rhythm during his heyday between 1950 and 1976, when he passed away. The orchestra's bandoneón player, Facundo Lazzari, is the grandson of D’Arienzo’s original
Chaise Lounge performs a blend of music that sounds like it was recorded at Capitol Recording Studios in 1962 and somehow found its way to today’s pop charts. It is the combination of five of the Washington, DC area’s top jazz musicians and featuring the soft, luminous vocals of Marilyn Older.
Originally from Argentina, Romina lives in Barcelona, Spain. She has released 3 albums to date "Disfrazada de mi" (Dressed up as myself), “Sin Lagrimas” (Without Tears) and “Raices de Pasion (Roots of Passion)”. A regular performer in Finland, Romina has toured that country 15 times.
