As we prepare to host Quinteto Astor Piazzolla on Thursday, May 11 at Royce Hall we look back on what made this great artist worthy of a foundation and a group that plays on honoring his legacy.

1929: At age eight, Astor received a present from his tango-loving father: not roller skates as he’d hoped, but a bandoneon. 

1936: Astor worked tirelessly as a bandoneonist and arranger and studied classical technique with one of Argentina's top composer.

1954: A breakthrough in his journey came when he played his tango “Triunfal” for legendary French composition teacher Nadia Boulanger and she encouraged him to pursue this sound.

1955: He formed his own string orchestra that broke the mold by creating a new sound akin to chamber music, without a singer and with jazz-like improvisations. Nuevo tango was born.

1969: Many Argentinians, thought Piazzolla’s nuevo tango detached, cold and cerebral. A performance of “Balada para un loco” received boos and derisive coin-throwing at its Buenos Aires premiere.

1978: The second incarnation of his Quintet is born. Piazzolla becomes known around the globe.

1989: Piazzolla’s final group, The New Tango Sextet, debuted in Los Angeles at UCLA’s Royce Hall.

1990: A stroke leaves Astor in a coma, from which he never recovers. He passes away two years later in Buenos Aires at the age of 71. 

1998: Astor’s widow establishes Quinteto Astor Piazzolla made up of tangueros and academics, classical and jazz musicians, the ensemble interprets Piazzolla’s vast body of work – more than 3,000 pieces.

Cut to 2023: The group’s first performance at Royce Hall in the 25 years they’ve been touring! 

Will you be there?