Pablo Ziegler & Quique Sinesi, guest Walter Castro

If there ever were any doubt about jazz and tango being a perfect match, and a prime example of how musical brews can help transform the listener and take him to another place, then this live recording by today's leading proponent of "Nuevo Tango" puts that question to rest.
The report here from New York by way of Amsterdam is a good one, and what Pablo Ziegler has produced is a real gem.

Beginning in 1978, as an integral part of the legendary Astor Piazzolla Quintet, Ziegler helped his mentor change the face of their native Argentinean music, adding jazz rhythms and improvisation to the mix. And today, almost 30 years later, as the evolution continues, he leads the charge, inflaming the emotions and inciting all those who are fortunate enough to bear witness to his continuing musical charms.

On one seductive evening in April 2006, the master composer/arranger/pianist and his frequent musical companions, Quique Sinesi and Walter Castro (in 2005, their previous collaborative effort, "Bajo Cero" on Zoho Records, won the Latin Grammy for Best Tango Album), brought all their fire and passion to Amsterdam's famed Bimhuis and romanced the audience. It was a burning, sometimes tender affair, filled with all the vagaries of love. These guys know how to fan the flames. The heat they generated was intense. And what they created was pure delight.

The night's program consisted of two sets, eight tunes each, and this CD provides us with nine of the best, including five new Ziegler compositions appearing here on recording for the first time: "Buenos Aires Report," "Pájaro Ángel," "Places," "Blues Porteño," and "Buenos Aires Dark." All nine convey the full spirit and energy of Argentina's bustling capital city, its mystery, and all its rhythm, tempo, and movement. "Buenos Aires Report" delivers the whole story. And it's a beautiful thing.
- NY Jazz Report

Almost every musician who had dealings with Astor Piazzolla has gone on to become something of a tango star. Pianist Pablo Ziegler, a member of Piazzolla's quintet between 1978 and 1989 has done better than most. In November 2005 he won a Latin Grammy for best tango album with Bajo Cero, recorded with guitarist Quique Sinesi and esteemed bandoneon virtuoso Walter Castro. On Buenos Aires Report -a nod to Joe Zawinul- the trio hook up again. Eight of the nine compositions are by Ziegler and Sinesi and only the final track, 'Libertango', is a Piazzolla number. Nonetheless, after the opening title track -which tests the astringent, plaintive strains of tango against Zawinul-style phrasing- the album finds its own voices and moods by exploring all kinds of musical corners, from jazz and jazz-rock to folklore, milonga and minimalism. - Songlines

Recorded live at the Bimhuis in Amsterdam, The Netherlands in April 2006, BUENOS AIRES REPORT, by the internationally acclaimed tango/jazz pianist, composer and band leader Pablo Ziegler, this second release on Zoho exudes the warmth, depth and charm of the great Ziegler on 9 excellent tracks. The night's program consisted of two sets, eight tunes each and this CD provides us with opportunity to experiene that wonderful evening. Accompanied by Quique Sinesi on guitar and Walter Castro on bandoneon, Pablo Ziegler expands his horizons as a pianist with the late, great Astor Piazzolla with energy, mystery and rhythm. "Buenos Aires Report," was inspired by Joe Zawinul's Weather Report long before Ziegler's association with Astor. "Pajaro Angel is a waltz composed for one of the episodes written for a Unified Theatre series on which Ziegler was a composer. This dedication to a clown has a desolate yet circuslike atmosphere. "Places" was originally commissioned by the British Council for the Corsham Music Festival. It is a highly contemporary composition with unconventional rhythms in 7/4 time, plus a bit of folklore. "Blues Porteno" is a two time tango rhythm while "Muchacha De Boedo" is a rather slower version of a milonga. "Libertango" ends the concert and it's loaded with Astor's charm but extended improvisations make is new again. Check out this excellent offering by Piazzolla's former pianist and you'll wonder what took you so long. - Sounds of timeless Jazz

Pablo Ziegler (piano), Quique Sinesi (guitars) and Walter Castro (bandoneon) fly in on the wings of their Grammy-winning Best Tango Album 2005 Bajo Cero (Zoho) with another enticing set of tunes. Ziegler composed five new ones, revamped two more, added a tune by Sinesi as well as the Astor Piazzolla classic ³Libertango.²

The music was recorded over two shows at the Bimhuis in Amsterdam. Nine tunes were selected from the sixteen that made up the night. The choice is judicious, showcasing the repertoire of the band that moves beyond the boundaries of the tango.

The trio revamps Libertango. The tone is set by Sinesi, on acoustic
guitar. He is a sensitive player who fills every note with a potent passion.
His chord work serves as an integral complement. Here he builds the
momentum, single lines singing in tandem with fleet runs, setting the
parameters for Zeigler and Castro. Ziegler was pianist with Piazzolla, and
the tune carries a familiar refrain for him. He moves out of the predictable
with some exciting conceptions and, with Castro letting the melody billow
and fan, the composition gets a new and enduring manifestation.

Sinesi wrote Milonga Para Hermeto for the great Brazilian composer Hermeto Pascoal. Sinesi sets the mood using the body of the guitar for some percussive slaps and then picking the delectable melody. Castro brings in the heady dance atmosphere and Ziegler improvises on the melody, keeping the feel and pulse. It¹s a perky composition, a twirling fantasia that
tantalises.

”Elegante Canyenguito” is an elegant song that sparkles in the lyrical lines
that flow from Ziegler, who extends the melody with his captivating
inventions, nestling in jazz harmonies. He is constantly forging ideas,
making his music appealing and uplifting. Sinesi carves out his own niche,
letting the music impel both in its rush and in its gentle quest for unseen
nooks.
- All About jazz

Bajo Cero continues the string of fine releases from the folks at New York's Zoho Music, this time presenting an excellent example of tango nuevo in a trio format. Playing a combination of tango and jazz styles with roots in Argentina, the triumvirate is led by Pablo Ziegler, a graduate of the Buenos Aires Music Conservatory and Astor Piazzolla's pianist for ten years. He has been a featured symphonic performer and composer across the globe, as well as having associations with jazz players like Paquito D'Rivera, Gary Burton, and Joe Lovano. Ziegler is joined by Quique Sinesi, considered one of Argentina's more important guitarists, who has performed with the likes of Dino Saluzzi, Paquito D'Rivera, and Enrico Rava. Rounding out the trio is Walter Castro, a virtuoso bandoneonist who has played with Ziegler's quintet since 1995.
Listeners familiar with this type of music will be delighted with its freshness and craftsmanship. Those new to the style will find a wealth of surprises, not the least of which is its folk-like innocence. It has a romantic, dance-inspired inclination that, when combined with improvisation, becomes highly infectious. As in so many wonderful Fellini films, the spirit of everyday people and real human emotion emerges.
“Flor de Lino”is a perfect example. A tuneful waltz, its simple, playful melody creates a mood one might find in a small café. A duet between Ziegler and Sinesi, the endearing melody is presented in camminando fashion, as are the individual free passages. Playing remains inside the changes and solos serve to embellish and preserve the melodic nature of the song. The title cut, “Bajo Cero,”is a slightly dark piece of mostly minor harmonies, intriguing in its use of tempo changes, intricate unison lines and theme variations. All three solo, Ziegler adding moments of a walking bass line throughout.
“Fuga Y Misterio,”as its title suggests, is a modern fugue, crisply beginning with Ziegler, followed by Sinesi and then Castro. A second passage, played simultaneously, introduces a new theme, followed by solos that lead to a subtle ritard. The final section restates the second theme, played by Castro and Sinesi in unison as Ziegler darts playfully in and out. This is true world music, a wonderful example of how jazz today encompasses such an incredible variety of ideas and cultures.
“Planufer Milonga”begins pensively with tapping wood, piano notes and bandoneon sounds. The samba-esque melody is immediately followed by Sinesi’s beautiful arpeggiated guitar work. His solo is equally impressive, presenting rapid lines full of tone and wonder. Ziegler and Castro add their own displays, enhanced by sections of ensemble magic where ideas coincide as if out of thin air. Ensemble dialogue does not get much better than this, no matter what the style or instrumentation.
Throughout the set, technical displays are abundant. However, the portrayal of each tune’s uniqueness remains paramount, and these gentlemen do it superbly. The recording quality is on even par, displaying each instrument in its proper context while blending their voices to perfection. Definitely worth a good listen!
- All about jazz

The latino musical culture has many wonderful & varied nuances, exemplified by this Pablo Ziegler-Quique Sinesi-esque clutch of keen, ethereal originals penned by Ziegler. The disc will delight the sensibilities of any diehard latino jazz aficionado.
Pablo writes with an 'urgent' style which (I feel) will prove to be his forte' in CD projects to follow featuring his original compositions. I don't mean to offer my views in any presumptuous manner.........But, I relegate my readers to the positive 'gypsy' influences Pablo has offered in the vernacular of 'Django' or, something maybe ''Grappelli' might have interpreted or written. My point here is that Pablo could have easily (In the past) given these two musical giants his music to record, & I think both Django & Grappelli would emerge edified by Pablo's art. Last, this CD is a confident & new direction in original music, & might I add, it's timely as well.
- EJAZZ NEWS - CANADA