Martin Alvarado and Matti Laukkanen
Synopsis
Exploring rare and lesser performed music by Astor Piazzolla in a two man show featuring world renowned Argentine troubadour Martin Alvarado and acclaimed Finnish jazz inspired pianist Matti Laukkanen. The show showcases a 2024 album of the same name.
Described as the best voice in Buenos Aires, Martin Alvarado infuses a carefully chosen repertoire, with warmth, colour, nuance and sensitivity.
A charismatic showman on the platform, his unforgettable performances have an obvious wow factor, whether singing with a full symphony orchestra, a jazz big band or with just his tenor voice and a guitar in front of a handful of people.
“The world needs to experience this extreme form of aural pleasure… totally mesmerising, a tango epiphany.”
Max Reinhardt, BBC Radio
“Completely beguiling tenor”
Mary Ann Kennedy, BBC Radio 3
“One of the most renowned voices in tango in the world today”
La Radio 2×4, Buenos Aires
It is these qualities that have transcended language barriers and driven an illustrious two-decade globe-trotting touring career, 11 album releases and awards. In recognition of his significance as a cultural ambassador for Argentina, the National Academy of Tango officially declared him as a Maestro in 2019.
Over the past 20 years he has performed at many major concert halls, festivals and clubs including The Kremlin Palace Concert Hall, the Kuhmo Chamber Music Festival, The Helsinki Music Centre, the Buenos Aires Tango Festival, philharmonic halls across Russia, the Teatro Solis in Montevideo and Festival Internacional de Tango in Medellin, Colombia and the Auditorio de Zaragoza.
Matti Laukkanen
Pianist Matti Laukkanen is a pioneer of the new Finnish tango nuevo. He and Martín Alvarado have been working together for over 15 years to bring Argentine tango, tango nuevo and Finnish tango together.
In 2024, they release an album called Nuestro Tango, which includes stunning interpretations of both Argentinean and Finnish tango. He is a highly versatile musician, active as a pianist, composer, arranger and teacher.
“Laukkanen’s arrangements are characterised by a deep familiarity with tango traditions, dramatic strength and inventiveness”
Kikka Holmberg, Kultturitoimitus
Martin Alvarado 