Tango Paradiso

Tango, Jazz, and New Music

Tango Paradiso is one of Canada’s premier tango ensembles. Since forming in 1998 the group has developed a rich, evocative and unique voice. Their fresh  presentation of classic, modern and original repertoire has delighted audiences throughout  Canada and the US.. By adding many fine original compositions to the classic repertoire, they are changing the idiom and creating new possibilities that Astor Piazzolla may never have imagined.

Performing traditional and post modern tango uniquely and passionately, from tango classics to original compositions and arrangements, Tango Paradiso’s sound is fresh and compelling, entrancing audiences and critics alike. The group readily mixes Tango, Jazz and modern Classical music into a potent blend.

Tango Paradiso has performed as a quartet in numerous festivals including the Printemps des Bretelles (Montreal) and the Vancouver International Jazz Festivals and has had the honour of performing with world renowned artists such as Coco Trivisonno (bandoneonist with Forever Tango), the internationally acclaimed ensemble Pink Martini, and legendary jazz vocalist Mark Murphy. In addition to their quartet concerts, Tango Paradiso presents an exciting program with symphony orchestra (see Tango Paradiso Orchestra Show) which has been drawing huge and diverse audiences to its lush repertoire.

Tango Paradiso captures the drama of a musical form that began in the bordellos and bars of Argentina. At the Vancouver International Jazz festival Aaron Cohen of Downbeat Magazine enjoyed their colourful and passionate performance as “Tango Paradiso mixed minimalist arrangements of Astor Piazzola classics along with some fine original compositions.”

Tango Paradiso’s music video “Tangere” [BRAVO] premiered to critical acclaim at the 2004 Toronto International Film Festival and the group’s first album “Tango Paradiso” was nominated for a West Coast Music Award. Post Nuevo, their next CD release (SRI Records) featured original music with string orchestra that Tango Paradiso describes as “post nuevo” with a nod to the late great Astor Piazzolla’s Nuevo Tango. They mix influences from Tango, Jazz, contemporary serious music and hints of many other styles into a potent blend that has been described as “devastatingly emotional” (Exclaim Magazine). Tango Paradiso’s third CD, “Passion” is scheduled for release on Nov. 15th at The Cellar Restaurant and Jazz Club. The selections range from romantic classic tangos to Astor Piazzolla's “nuevo tango” to Doug Schmidt’s “post-nuevo” original compositions and will reflect the group's exciting new sound and virtuosic standard of performance.

Tango Paradiso is:

Amanda Chan (piano) has achieved recognition in her career as concert pianist, teacher, lecturer, adjudicator and examiner for the Royal Conservatory of Music in Toronto. She has given concerts in Canada and abroad as a soloist and chamber player with highlights including USA, China, Austria, Germany, Italy, The Netherlands and Slovakia. Her particular passion for the collaborative arts and the Vancouver Piano Ensemble has led to annual concert tours in Europe and Asia, as well as giving masterclasses in China..

Douglas Schmidt (bandoneon, accordion) received a doctorate of music composition from the University of British Columbia in 1992 while also learning to play the Bandoneon and earning himself a nomination for the Governor General’s Award of Canada. Schmidt recently completed three terms as resident composer with the Victoria Symphony Orchestra and was a sessional lecturer at the University of Victoria. Douglas’ compositions have been performed internationally and he has appeared on Much Music, Bravo TV and has been featured on 5 Juno and CARAS award winning recordings.

Michael Vaughan (contrabass) began playing music as a jazz saxophonist in his hometown of Halifax, Nova Scotia. Eventually he found his true self on the bass, first in several progressive rock groups and eventually as a jazz freelancer and double bassist with the Prince Edward Island Symphony.  In 2004 Michael moved to Vancouver to study under Ken Friedman at the University of British Columbia. Since then he has been performing with the Vancouver Island Symphony and the Kamloops Symphony. He also performs with several other smaller ensembles including the Be Good Tanyas, Romanza, hip-hop group Language Arts and several projects in the jazz idiom. Michael has cultivated an extremely diverse musical background and has performed across Canada and the United States with his assorted projects.  He strives to explore as many facets of music as he possibly can and enjoys bringing elements from many different styles to the table every time he plays

Yuel Yawney (violin)Praised for his "confident, smooth toned, and unobtrusive virtuosic playing", violinist Yuel Yawney has performed extensively in Canada, the United States and in the Czech Republic, where he completed his advanced training at the Prague Academy with Joseph Suk. Frequently appearing as soloist and chamber musician, he has been heard at the Kneisel Hall Chamber Music Festival, the Banff Summer Festival, Domaine Forget and the Scotia Festival. His North American studies were at the Harid Conservatory in Boca Raton, Florida, and the Shepherd School of Music at Rice University in Houston, Texas.