Pedro Giraudo - Desconsuelo

Originally from Córdoba Argentina, Pedro Giraudo moved to New York City in 1996. Since then he has become a highly versatile bassist, composer and arranger, performing in a wide variety of musical projects, both his own award winning Pedro Giraudo Jazz Orchestra and as a member of several prominent ensembles, ranging from tango to jazz. Pedro Giraudo has collaborated with Grammy award winner Pablo Ziegler, 9 time Grammy award winner Paquito D'Rivera, Latin American icon Ruben Blades, and Dizzy Gillespie's protégé William Cepeda, as well as 'Tango meets Jazz' guests: Branford Marsalis, Kenny Garret, Regina Carter, Nestor Torres, Miguel Zenon among many others. Pedro Giraudo has also been the musical director of Mariela Franganillo Company's 'Tango Connection' and 'Tango Recuerdo' and performed with U.S.'s most prominent tango ensembles including 'Forever Tango', Hector Del Curto's Eternal Tango, Fernando Otero's X-Tango and Daniel Binelli's 'Tango Metropolis'. He has participated in numerous jazz and music festivals throughout the North America, Europe, Latin America, the Caribbean and Asia, and performed in venues such as The Blue Note (Japan & USA), Birdland (Austria), London's Queen Elizabeth Hall, Jazz Festival Royale in Thailand, Kennedy Center (Washington DC), Iridium, Jazz Standard, Blue Note, Lincoln Center and Carnegie Hall (NYC). As a composer and arranger, Giraudo lead three ensembles (Pedro Giraudo Sextet, Pedro Giraudo Jazz Orchestra and Pedro Giraudo Expansions Big Band), and has been hailed by critics as one of the most creative and daring bandleaders on the scene today. His compositions combine his love of classical forms, Argentine tango and folk music, and the spontaneity of jazz improvisation. The band, which boasts some of New York's finest jazz musicians, has performed regularly in the most prestigious jazz clubs in the New York City area, including the Jazz Standard, Birdland, The Jazz Gallery, Blue Note, Joe's Pub, as well as abroad. John Murph of Downbeat described Giraudo's music as 'an opulent listening experience of modern, orchestral jazz, brimming with passionate improvisations, deliberate contrapuntal melodies and plush harmonies. Pedro Giraudo has also conducted the world renown WDR Big Band and Cologne Contemporary Jazz Orchestra. His discography includes 'Córdoba' (Zoho Music 2011), 'El Viaje' (2009), 'Desconsuelo' (2005), 'Mr Vivo' (2002) and 'Destiny of Flowers' (2000). 'Córdoba' won 2011 Latin Jazz Corner's: 'Latin Jazz Large Ensemble Album Of The Year', 'Latin Jazz Boundary Breaking Album Of The Year',' South American Jazz Album Of The Year', and 'Latin Jazz Composition Of The Year'; while 'El Viaje' won 2010 'Best Latin Jazz Album Of The Year,' and 'Best Latin Jazz Large Ensemble Album Of The Year,' as well as 'Best Latin Jazz Composition'. In 2013 Pedro Giraudo was commissioned by Música de Cámara a piece for string orchestra which will be presented in May 2014. He recently finished pieces for members of the San Diego Symphony and for Japanese clarinetist Sawako Yoshida. In 2008, Giraudo was awarded a composer's commission through the Jazz Gallery in New York, for a new work for his large ensemble; and in 2010, he was commissioned by the JazzReach initiative to compose a new work for their Big Drum/Small World main-stage program. He has played bass on dozens of recordings for the world's leading labels including Sony, Warner, Nonesuch, Naxos and Harmonia Mundi, as well as for independent projects, and on movies including Oliver Stone's 'Wall Street II'. He is also the principal bassist of the Hudson Symphony Orchestra and the Música de Cámara String Ensemble. Pedro Giraudo is endorsed by the gold standard in string makers, D'Addario, and the outstanding Keeley Electronics. Pedro Giraudo Jazz Orchestra Big Band is: Will Vinson, Ramiro Flores, Luke Batson, Carl Maraghi: saxes Jonathan Powell, Tatum Greenblatt: trumpets Ryan Keberle, Mike Fahie: trombones Jess Jurkovic, piano Jeff Davis, drums Tony De Vivo, cajón Sofía Tosello, voice (track 7) Pedro Giraudo, bass & composition Produced by Pedro Giraudo & Alex Venguer Reviews: - Encore by Jeffrey Hildt 'play this remarkable new CD once-you won't forget it. The experience is exhilarating.' - Descarga.com by Peter Watrous Editor's Pick: Highly recommended 'This is modern jazz and Latin music at it's best.' - Jazz not Jazz: '...this album is so inspiring and it's hard to pick a favourite...' - La Voz del Interior (in Spanish) ***** (Five Stars) - Mayhemproductions: '...truly amazing.' - Roberta on the Arts by Dr. Roberta E. Zlokower 'a Big Band recording with dynamic, daring musicality...' - Jazz Buffalo (Texas), hosted by Luis Moreno - CD of the Week! (May 1 06) - CHOU FM 89.1 (Ottawa) - Desconsuelo ranked 1st in radio charts! (Apr 11 06) - Vinilemania (Italy), hosted by Pietro Carbognani - CD of the Week! (Feb 17 06)

1) Mate Amargo
2) Con Un Nudo en la Garganta
3) La Bronca
4) La Viudita
5) Primer Intento
6) A Dario Iscaro
7) Ese Grito
8) Contrapuntren