Orchestra Libertango
| Calgary's Genuine Tango Orchestra LIBERTANGO |
Leo Sato, the general manager and the
founder
founder
For the performance request,
info@DanceCalgary.com
or 403-542-1000
info@DanceCalgary.com
or 403-542-1000
| Darcy North, Bandoneon, Band Master |
| Emiko Okada, Piano |
Emiko has always been passionate about art, including music. She began studying classical piano at the age
of three, expanding her musical horizons ever since. When Emiko first heard Astor Piazzolla’s music, it stole her
heart and introduced her to the tango. She later began tango lessons with Leo and became the founding
member of Libertango. She has been a driving force to the band ever since.
of three, expanding her musical horizons ever since. When Emiko first heard Astor Piazzolla’s music, it stole her
heart and introduced her to the tango. She later began tango lessons with Leo and became the founding
member of Libertango. She has been a driving force to the band ever since.
| Roman Hernandez-Zepeda, Violin / Viola / Guitar / Arranger / Music Director |
We are so fortunate to have a musician of Roman’s talent and experience. Roman is the largest acquisition
Libertango has ever made. His musical career started at the age of six. Since then, he has played the guitar, violin,
and viola under tutorage of such greats as Florentino Hernandez and Miguel Bernal Matus. Roman has played as
principal viola player for the Mexico City Chamber Orchestra. He has also played as a soloist in Germany, Italy,
Spain and France. He now plays with various Canadian organizations, such as the Calgary Civic Symphonic
Orchestra. He is also an instructor for the United Conservatory of Music. Being an arranger and a musician, he
has toured with well known Tango shows such as Hugo del Carril. For his musical instruction, please call (403)
252-0968 or go to roman@DanceCalgary.com.
Libertango has ever made. His musical career started at the age of six. Since then, he has played the guitar, violin,
and viola under tutorage of such greats as Florentino Hernandez and Miguel Bernal Matus. Roman has played as
principal viola player for the Mexico City Chamber Orchestra. He has also played as a soloist in Germany, Italy,
Spain and France. He now plays with various Canadian organizations, such as the Calgary Civic Symphonic
Orchestra. He is also an instructor for the United Conservatory of Music. Being an arranger and a musician, he
has toured with well known Tango shows such as Hugo del Carril. For his musical instruction, please call (403)
252-0968 or go to roman@DanceCalgary.com.
What is the Bandoneon?
The Argentinian bandoneón is a
two-voice instrument with 71 buttons.
Each button plays a different note
depending on whether the bellows are
opened or closed. The instrument
originally had 60 notes disposed over
30 buttons, but that quickly changed to
130 notes. By the beginning of the 20th
century, a 142-note version with 71
buttons had become standard in South
America.
The bandoneón is an offshoot of a
family of German instruments called
Korcertinas, invented around 1845.
The first bandoneón was in fact a
Konzertina made around the year1856
and to which the commercial name of
"bandoneón" was given in memory of
Einrich Band, who had a music shop in
North Germany.
Bandoneón was quickly adopted in
Buenos Aires, and became the symbol
of Tango. It has never been built in
Argentina, however. Most bandoneóns
were made by the German maker
Alfred Arnold from 1911, up until a few
years after WWII. Most of the
bandoneóns used in tango sites today
are from this period. (The bandoneón
which will be used for our show was
fabricated in 1924.)
www.gardelweb.com/bandoneon.htm
The Argentinian bandoneón is a
two-voice instrument with 71 buttons.
Each button plays a different note
depending on whether the bellows are
opened or closed. The instrument
originally had 60 notes disposed over
30 buttons, but that quickly changed to
130 notes. By the beginning of the 20th
century, a 142-note version with 71
buttons had become standard in South
America.
The bandoneón is an offshoot of a
family of German instruments called
Korcertinas, invented around 1845.
The first bandoneón was in fact a
Konzertina made around the year1856
and to which the commercial name of
"bandoneón" was given in memory of
Einrich Band, who had a music shop in
North Germany.
Bandoneón was quickly adopted in
Buenos Aires, and became the symbol
of Tango. It has never been built in
Argentina, however. Most bandoneóns
were made by the German maker
Alfred Arnold from 1911, up until a few
years after WWII. Most of the
bandoneóns used in tango sites today
are from this period. (The bandoneón
which will be used for our show was
fabricated in 1924.)
www.gardelweb.com/bandoneon.htm
Libertango founding members. (From the left)
Darcy North, Jacqueline Louie, Emiko Okdada, Brendan McGuigan
Darcy North, Jacqueline Louie, Emiko Okdada, Brendan McGuigan
| Monica Villasenor, Voz |
Monica started singing at the age of twelve with the Youth Singers of Calgary. For thirteen years, she has sung
jazz, country, opera, modern and many more types of music. Monica sung backup for Sarah Brightman when she
performed in the Saddle Dome in 2002. She is also a performing guest with the West Winds Jazz band. Being a
South American, she has embraced tango with passion, coming right from her heart.
jazz, country, opera, modern and many more types of music. Monica sung backup for Sarah Brightman when she
performed in the Saddle Dome in 2002. She is also a performing guest with the West Winds Jazz band. Being a
South American, she has embraced tango with passion, coming right from her heart.
| Leonardo Vender, Voz |
Leonardo was born in the province of Buenos Aires. Imitating his father he entered into the world of music
becoming a singer. Leonardo recently moved to Calgary and is enhancing his vocal performance and musical
creativity with Libertango. He considers singing a work of love. A love of art and Tango. We are excited to have
him join us tonight with Orquesta Libertango.
becoming a singer. Leonardo recently moved to Calgary and is enhancing his vocal performance and musical
creativity with Libertango. He considers singing a work of love. A love of art and Tango. We are excited to have
him join us tonight with Orquesta Libertango.
| Dan Bartholomew, Tuba |
When tango was born, poor musicians used Tuba to play tango. The winner of the Royal College of Music's
James Kershaw Memorial Prize, Dan has conducted the RNCM Symphony Orchestra and New Ensemble. While
in studying in Manchester, England, Dan was appointed conductor of the Warrington Youth Orchestra, and has
worked with the Gorton Philharmonic, Philharmonic and all the large ensembles of the Junior RNCM.
James Kershaw Memorial Prize, Dan has conducted the RNCM Symphony Orchestra and New Ensemble. While
in studying in Manchester, England, Dan was appointed conductor of the Warrington Youth Orchestra, and has
worked with the Gorton Philharmonic, Philharmonic and all the large ensembles of the Junior RNCM.
| Peter Hurni, Drums |
Peter Hurni is a recording artist and performer of Jazz, Fusion, Latin, and Funk Music, with thirty years
experience in his artistic field.Born in Bern, Switzerland, Peter is a veteran performer throughout Europe and
North America. Touring with his multi-award winning group "Birdland”, he was featured at the Jazz Festivals in
Montreux, Bern, Luzern, and Zurich in Switzerland, Leverkusen in Germany, Paris in France as well as Belgrade,
Zagreb, Sarajevo and Novi Sad in Yugoslavia. In North America, Peter has performed extensively, particularly in
Los Angeles, Vancouver and throughout Alberta. To his credit, since 1980, Peter has recorded twelve albums.
Living in Canada since 1987, Peter has been actively performing and recording in Calgary, Banff, Canmore, and
throughout Alberta, both with his own musical ensembles and projects and as a freelance artist. Peter is a
member of the International Association of Jazz Educators, the Calgary Musicians Association and C- Jazz.
www.drumandpercussionschool.com
experience in his artistic field.Born in Bern, Switzerland, Peter is a veteran performer throughout Europe and
North America. Touring with his multi-award winning group "Birdland”, he was featured at the Jazz Festivals in
Montreux, Bern, Luzern, and Zurich in Switzerland, Leverkusen in Germany, Paris in France as well as Belgrade,
Zagreb, Sarajevo and Novi Sad in Yugoslavia. In North America, Peter has performed extensively, particularly in
Los Angeles, Vancouver and throughout Alberta. To his credit, since 1980, Peter has recorded twelve albums.
Living in Canada since 1987, Peter has been actively performing and recording in Calgary, Banff, Canmore, and
throughout Alberta, both with his own musical ensembles and projects and as a freelance artist. Peter is a
member of the International Association of Jazz Educators, the Calgary Musicians Association and C- Jazz.
www.drumandpercussionschool.com
| Peter Marzlin, Bandoneon |
Peter plays classical and Jazz guitar since his childhood and fell in love with the Bandoneon during his studies in
Aachen (Germany), where he founded the Quarteto Tango Nuevo AC. He played Jazz guitar and Bandoneon in
numerous bands and organized many guitar concerts. He moved to Calgary in 2003 to work at the UofC's Physics
Department and joined Libertango in 2006.
Aachen (Germany), where he founded the Quarteto Tango Nuevo AC. He played Jazz guitar and Bandoneon in
numerous bands and organized many guitar concerts. He moved to Calgary in 2003 to work at the UofC's Physics
Department and joined Libertango in 2006.
| All rights reserved. DanceCalgary.com, a division of Piazzolla Ltd. 2007 |
 |
| |
 |
| |
 |
| |
 |
| |
 |
| |
 |
| |
 |
| |
 |
| |
 |
| |
 |
| |
 |
Darcy North started playing the accordion at the age of seven. He is well established in Calgary's music
community. He has been a member of several different music groups, including Take the ‘OY’ Train and Le
Beau Temps. Lately, Darcy has become an important part of Calgary’s Tango scene as well. He has performed
at a variety of events such as Tango Rojo and Noche de Tango. He led Libertango members for last year’s hit
show, Rhythm of Peace. Also, Darcy has begun to play the bandoneón, which produces sounds very
characteristic and indispensable to the Tango. The bandoneón Darcy plays was built in 1921. We are so
fortunate to have him in Calgary. For his lessons, go to: accskaguy@yahoo.ca
community. He has been a member of several different music groups, including Take the ‘OY’ Train and Le
Beau Temps. Lately, Darcy has become an important part of Calgary’s Tango scene as well. He has performed
at a variety of events such as Tango Rojo and Noche de Tango. He led Libertango members for last year’s hit
show, Rhythm of Peace. Also, Darcy has begun to play the bandoneón, which produces sounds very
characteristic and indispensable to the Tango. The bandoneón Darcy plays was built in 1921. We are so
fortunate to have him in Calgary. For his lessons, go to: accskaguy@yahoo.ca
Mark Johnson started his musical career at age 5 on his mothers church pump organ. At age 18, he decisively
took his career seriously and joined many different bands playing all over Canada, the Western USA and
Europe. After 6 years of touring, Mark went to Grant MacEwan College in Edmonton, Alberta, Canada where he
earned his diploma in Jazz Performance.
Since then he has played in different settings such as: Corporate events for the Deputy Prime Minister and other
distinguished politicians; Jazz shows with Juno winning musicians Tommy Banks, PJ Perry, and Sandro
Dominelli; Latin performances with Grammy winning artist Luis “Emilio” Rios, and Juno award winning artist
Manuel Jara; Country/Rock and Blues bands touring Canada and finally Calgary’s Favorite swing orchestra The
LivinInSwing Orchestra. Mark has also performed in Musicals such as Broadway favorite Frog and Toad, and
local productions such as Murder in Mayhem. Furthermore, Mark spent two years playing on three cruise ship
contracts with Holland America aboard the Zuiderdam, Volendam, and Noordam.
took his career seriously and joined many different bands playing all over Canada, the Western USA and
Europe. After 6 years of touring, Mark went to Grant MacEwan College in Edmonton, Alberta, Canada where he
earned his diploma in Jazz Performance.
Since then he has played in different settings such as: Corporate events for the Deputy Prime Minister and other
distinguished politicians; Jazz shows with Juno winning musicians Tommy Banks, PJ Perry, and Sandro
Dominelli; Latin performances with Grammy winning artist Luis “Emilio” Rios, and Juno award winning artist
Manuel Jara; Country/Rock and Blues bands touring Canada and finally Calgary’s Favorite swing orchestra The
LivinInSwing Orchestra. Mark has also performed in Musicals such as Broadway favorite Frog and Toad, and
local productions such as Murder in Mayhem. Furthermore, Mark spent two years playing on three cruise ship
contracts with Holland America aboard the Zuiderdam, Volendam, and Noordam.
| Mark Johnson, Bass |
