The news came unexpectedly, and many fans could hardly believe it. The Sexteto Milonguero, a fixture in the world of Tango, is calling it quits! The popular orchestra has, on its annual concert tours, encouraged thousands of fans to dance Tango. A huge gap will be left in the current Argentine music scene. Here is a retrospective on the journey of an orchestra that made history.
An orchestra for Tango dancing
In the year 2006, singer and guitarist Javier Di Ciriaco founded the Sexteto Milonguero in Buenos Aires. Although, as a young person, he first performed with a rock band, he learned to love Tango in his early twenties. His idea was to create a Tango orchestra with a repertoire that is great for dancing. Unlike most others, however, it was not meant to represent only a single style, such as that of D’Arienzo.
After Javier Di Ciriaco had been involved for some time with the Orquesta de la Academia Nacional de Tango, he found like-minded musicians who shared his dream. Their joint goal was to bring people to dance Tango with traditional music from different orchestras. Instead of simply copying well-known pieces, the musicians wanted to give them their own modern interpretation. While some of the founding members were already Tango musicians, others came from jazz, classical music, or folklore. All of them, though, were enthusiastic about Tango! Thanks to their musical background, they also added color to the sound of the new orchestra.
The first album, “Pa’ que Bailen”
The violinists were Marisol Canessa and Mariano Laplume, the bandoneóns were played by Mauricio Jost and Diego Braconi, Cristian Sepúlveda played the double bass, and Gervasio Ledesma was on the piano. In addition, singer Javier Di Ciriaco also played guitar on some pieces.
Next, the young group rehearsed its repertoire. They harmonized well with one another and after just four months they were able to record their first album “Pa’ que Bailen” (“So you can dance”). This meant they had the material to present themselves as an orchestra to event organizers. Step by step, the musicians themselves began dancing as well. That way, they could sense what dancers needed at milongas—learning which music lured people to dance Tango.
Beginning of international concert tours
At first, the new orchestra played the milongas in Buenos Aires. Because of its lively, compelling performances, it soon became a name there—even for foreign tourists. As a result, the first invitation from abroad came soon after. Javier Di Ciriaco was already familiar with touring as part of a group of musicians. Having previously experienced a European tour with an orchestra from his hometown, Córdoba, he knew the challenges that come with it.
The Sexteto Milonguero’s first big European trip took place in 2007 and was an overwhelming success. From then on, Javier managed all the trips and tours, and he is proud that, despite tight scheduling, not a single concert had to be cancelled during those years.
Besides that, the group always worked as a team artistically. The selection of pieces and the arrangements were developed together. Everyone could contribute their ideas, and there was no hierarchy. Javier Di Ciriaco, however, served as the point of contact for organizers and the media regarding all organizational matters.
The album “7” – fresher Tango to dance
In 2010, the second album, titled “7,” was released. It was technically even more refined than the first; the group was perfectly in sync and had further raised its musical level. In addition, the already legendary energy, the fire, and the joy of playing from their live performances were captured. The album also included several folklore pieces—an exceptional feature that also characterized the orchestra’s live appearances. The magazine Tangodanza wrote: “This is simply more living Tango: cheeky, cheerful, immensely versatile, and moving forward—perfect for dancing.”
Shows full of passion
Now, in addition to Europe, the musicians were invited to other South American countries, to Asia, and to the USA. They helped make Tango music popular in many new countries. Everywhere they won over enthusiastic followers; their concerts were full of passion and swept the audience along. They literally brought the halls to a boil!
The charismatic personality of Javier Di Ciriaco, his clear tenor voice, and refined vocal technique—combined with lived emotion—contributed greatly to their success. The musicians were guests at international festivals, at major and small milongas, on open-air stages, in factory halls, or in palaces.
In 2012, there were several lineup changes. First, out of the former seven members, there were now actually six. (In a typical sexteto de tango, the singer is normally not counted.) There was now only one bandoneón—thanks to the exceptional talent of the remaining bandoneón player, Mauricio Jost, however, this was handled well. The violinist was Gustavo Garay. Juan Rivero joined as the new pianist.
In 2013, a beautiful bilingual photo book about the orchestra was published, titled “Letras de Tango interpretadas por el Sexteto Milonguero” by Heinke Fiedler. The book focuses on the lyrics of the musical pieces that make up the group’s repertoire. It also includes many atmospheric black-and-white photos. It is available via Tanguentro (see below).
New paths with the album “Doble o Nada”
Also in 2013 came the third CD, „Doble o Nada“, an outstanding double album. In addition to well-known Tangos, for the first time it also included the musicians’ own compositions. With that, they took new paths. Some titles with Argentine folklore were included again as well.
“Already after the first notes of the Sexteto’s nine original compositions, it becomes clear why this ensemble can rightfully be considered one of the flagships of Argentina’s current music culture. … Little solos and countless compositional details show the virtuosity of the artists,” the magazine Tangodanza accordingly judged.
Furthermore, in 2014 the Sexteto Milonguero appeared in a film by director German Kral. His documentary “Die Tango-Spelunken von Buenos Aires” (The Tango Bars of Buenos Aires) shows the group performing at a concert in the bar El Floreal. Afterward, the film was shown on television.
On the road: Annual tours through Europe
The annual big European tour eventually became a fixed part of the orchestra’s life. Each spring and summer, the group traveled through almost all European countries to give concerts. In between, Javier Di Ciriaco occasionally made guest appearances with other orchestras, for example the Color Tango Orquesta in 2013 at the Tango Festival in Istanbul. When the musicians were not on trips abroad, they performed at milongas in their hometown Buenos Aires and in other Argentine cities.
Documentary “Joyride with Sexteto Milonguero”
In the years 2016–2017, a very worth-watching documentary about the group was created: the road movie “Joyride with Sexteto Milonguero”. The Hungarian director Eszter Nordin accompanied the Sexteto on several tours with her camera team. She showed an interesting look behind the scenes, along with many live performances. This film will be shown on August 27, 2020 at the “Fünf Seen Film Festival”. (For more information and trailer, see below.)
Solo projects by Javier Di Ciriaco
After spending ten years traveling as a Tango singer for the dancing audience, Javier Di Ciriaco gradually began to long to explore his other musical passions more strongly as well. Alongside the demanding Tangos by Piazzolla, these include pop, rock, and folklore. Fado or flamenco are also part of it—so there are no stylistic boundaries.
The first solo album “Íntimo”
Next, in 2016 Javier recorded his solo album “Íntimo” in Germany together with pianist Burkhard Hessler. It includes Tangos and zambas arranged for piano and vocals, as well as some pop songs, some of them original compositions. The two musicians then gave several live concerts. Javier accompanied himself on guitar. In doing so, he was able to fully bring his impressive voice to the fore—for example in the sung version of Astor Piazzolla’s masterpiece “Oblivion”. The heartfelt album received a lot of recognition and made you want more!
New formation, unmistakable sound
At the Sexteto Milonguero, there were two more lineup changes. Ignacio Claramonte took over from Mauricio Jost on the bandoneón, while Alejandro Abbonizio took over the double bass in place of Cristian Sepúlveda. Even though only two of the founding members remained, the group managed to integrate the new musicians perfectly again. They never lost their distinctive, powerful sound—the slightly jazzy “Sexteto Milonguero Swing.”
In 2017, besides the annual European tour, there was also a major tour through the United States. From Washington to Seattle, the orchestra once again managed to convince a new audience. Many well-known professional dancers were already longtime fans of the Sexteto Milonguero and, on their show tours, were happy to get inspired by their music as well.
Music videos for their own songs
In 2019, the music video for Javier’s composition „Sabrás“ was released. The group filmed it during a tour in southern Italy. Afterwards, the Sexteto released another video for the rock-leaning new composition “Mi Raza”, which was created on Tenerife in the volcanic landscape of Teide. A further album with original compositions was also planned, but was postponed several times due to the personnel changes and ultimately not realized.
New success at the Argentine folklore festival
In February 2020, the Sexteto Milonguero achieved another major success in front of thousands of spectators at the annual “Festival Nacionál de Musica Popular Argentina” in Baradero, Buenos Aires Province. There, the musicians presented titles that leaned more toward pop and electronic Tango, alongside Tango, Zamba, and Chacarera. With unstoppable musical energy, they could also thrill the audience beyond the world of Tango.
The orchestra disbands
After that, there were still some shows in Buenos Aires. The last one took place in early March at a milonga in the suburb of Lanús, where you could once again dance their high-tempo Tango. In July 2020, Javier Di Ciriaco finally announced the end of the activities of the Sexteto Milonguero. According to Javier, however, the reason for the group’s surprising breakup is not the Corona crisis, but his desire for artistic change. The quiet time during lockdown brought him even more clarity about his needs and feelings, the singer said. In addition, due to the pandemic, the group didn’t have long-term commitments, which made stepping away easier.
Ambassadors of modern Tango
The orchestra’s special achievement was to reach a new audience for live-played Tango around the world. Their appearances and stage presence often reminded people more of a rock band than a traditional Tango formation. With their unmatched joy of playing, the musicians were also able to get younger people excited about Tango dancing. In this way, they paved the way for the new orchestras from Argentina, which now also travel across the world and show their talent to a growing audience.
Film screening “Joyride with Sexteto Milonguero”
If you’d like to experience the Sexteto Milonguero live once more on the big cinema screen: The documentary “Joyride with Sexteto Milonguero” by Hungarian filmmaker Eszter Nordin will be shown on Thursday, August 27, 2020, at Schloss Seefeld on Lake Ammersee. The screening runs as a cinema premiere as part of this year’s Fünf Seen Film Festivals, in the original version with English subtitles. The director will travel to the film talk especially from London.
Die nur einmalige Filmvorführung trägt auch eine historische Komponente, angesichts der Tatsache, dass dieses international bekannte Ensemble sich nun aufgelöst hat und es daher keine weiteren Live-Auftritte geben wird. Vor diesem Hintergrund lohnt es sich umso mehr, wenngleich mit etwas Wehmut, dieses Tango-Road-Movie einer der großen Tourneen der legendären Gruppe anzuschauen. Tickets vorbestellen kann man ab 15. August.
Den Film “Joyride” gibt es auf DVD. Kontakt zur Regisseurin Eszter Nordin unter Dokweb/Database
Farewell statements
A magical experience
“The first time I experienced the Sexteto Milonguero live at a milonga—if I’m not mistaken it was at the Wirtshaus im Schlachthof a few years ago—something magical happened to me that we all experience again and again.
“First of all, the powerful current of this musical interpretation drew me into the Ronda, to dance. But I stayed standing at the bar for a long time, as if rooted there—in the middle of the flow, unable to move—so that I wouldn’t miss a single thing of this performance, soaking it up to the last drop of its essence, like a sponge.”
Ralf Sartori
(Tango teacher, book author, and organizer)
Thank you for the wonderful music for Tango dancing!
“With the Sexteto Milonguero, we and our guests experienced great Tango evenings! As hosts of the milonga at the Wirtshaus im Schlachthof in Munich, we booked the group for many years. Every milonga with them was a fantastic celebration, and the audience was thrilled—just like we were. The unique energy and sparkling passion of this orchestra grabbed us immediately. So much urge to play and dancing mood combined with masterful musicianship and Tango feeling—that was something unique!
We wish Javier Di Ciriaco and the other musicians of the Sexteto Milonguero all the best for the future. And in addition, we say thank you for their wonderful music and their important contribution to keeping Tango alive.”
Fabian and Michaela Lugo
(Tango teachers, show dancers, musicians, DJs, and organizers)
Trying something new is important
“The Sexteto Milonguero brought new momentum to the Tango scene, which keeps getting dusty. Through their concerts, they largely freed Tango from its clichés and impressively showed that Tango is more than just a sad thought that you can dance—and its rhythmic accompaniment. With passion, drama, eros, and no end of humor, they literally rocked every dance hall.
Again and again, they tried, as a Tango band, to open up the boundaries of a classical Tango dance orchestra toward world music. Their ambitions as excellent musicians went far beyond what most dancers expect. They certainly set new impulses in Tango. In my last conversation (about a year ago) with Javier, he told me that he feels like trying something new. I can understand him well.
For many people, Tango is everything. But in order to remain truly creative as an artist and not to be taken over by just one thing, it is also important to keep finding distance and trying new things. I wish him and his musicians all the best in every possible way on this path.”
David Tobias Schneider
(Tango teacher, musician & actor)
Links
Sexteto Milonguero on Facebook
Fabian and Michaela Lugo (Tango Lugo) Tango school in Munich that has regularly invited the Sexteto Milonguero for a period of 10 years.
David Tobias Schneider Tango teacher, musician, and actor
Thomas Kröter
has published a very well worth reading, personal farewell to the Sexteto Milonguero.
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The Sexteto Milonguero will be missed dearly by its fans. But we will continue to dance Tango to its great music. Muchas gracias y adios!
Photos: Sexteto Milonguero, colorful portrait photos of the musicians: Thomas Lackner
