[Tango-L] tango to the blues

[Lois Donnay]

Once every two months or so, I teach a seminar on "Tango to the Blues".
There are a few in this community who are struck with the way you can
interpret a great blues song with tango. Blues and tango music share a
common history, I think. The way a blues musician bends the notes is similar
enough to my ears to the bandoneon. Anyway, I dance tango to the blues at
least twice a week. We have a great blues scene here in Mpls. Keep in mind
that I am quite fussy as to the music I dance tango to, mostly because I
know enough other dances that I prefer doing the appropriate dance to the
appropriate music. 

"Swango" I believe is West Coast Swing and Tango. That's what Daniel Trenner
used to teach, anyway. West Coast Swing is also danced to blues (along with
other genres). Ther is also Blues Dancing, which I do as well.

Hope some of you are considering a visit to Mpls for the Heartland Tango
Festival in September!

Lois 
Minneapolis, MN 55408
www.mndance.com 


 
> 
> Trini wrote;
> >In the past couple of months, there has been an interest in 
> the tango 
> >community of dancing tango to blues music (at blues events).  There 
> >seems to be a new blues scene emerging here (or at least 
> being better 
> >publicized).  I understand that jazzy blues would be the appropriate 
> >music to use.  Any such crossovers in other cities?
> 
> I love dancing tango to good tango dance music, but sadly, 
> there is very little of that around Houston. For example, 
> this is an excerpt from an announcement for an event to be 
> held next week; "....will perform DANCE music of 
> Argentina.... We will feature music composed by Gardel, 
> Padula, Piazzolla, Villoldo and others......" The band is 
> very talented, but has no idea what constitutes good music to 
> dance to, which in general reflects much of the community. To 
> me, musicality is 98% of the dance, and I don't enjoy trying 
> to put something together to a Piazzola recording. And 
> dancing to Gardel!! Isn't that illegal in Argentina?
> 
> That's one reason that me and my girlfriend go out at least 
> once a week dancing to the blues. Not "jazzy" blues, but good 
> down-home, gritty, Texas blues. It's extremely well-suited 
> for tango, and we both enjoy it immensely, in addition to 
> learning a lot and getting in some good practice.
> 
> I like dancing to alternative music, but I sometimes get 
> irritated with DJs who choose to play music just because it's 
> different. We hear nice "world" music, and beat-heavy 
> disco/rap/electronic stuff. Give me some music with some meat 
> in it, some feeling, something to interpret into a dance. I 
> know many may not like blues as I do, but there is still 
> plenty of good rock, pop, even country, out there that is 
> great for tango.
> 
> Looking forward to the "Tango Blues Cruise" in St Louis next 
> month, en route to Mt Vernon, Missouri for the third annual 
> "Meet in the Middle" Tango Festival presented by the 
> incomparable Karen Whitesell!
> 
> Regards,
> 
> Michael Figart II
>