Re: [TANGO-L] Community Growth - The Next Generation

[Tom Stermitz <Stermitz @RAGTIME.ORG>]

>In response to Tom's post, Korey says:
>
>>>This gives the dancer a freer and more "subtle" experience. You have
>>>multiple ways to interpret the same music. The dancers become an
>>>integral PART of the orchestra, interpreters with their own voice.
>
>>fascinating.  I often describe the exact same sensation dancing to
>>contemporary music.  For me, there is actually more room to interpret,
>>especial in the small ensemble music.  Hugo Diaz Trio, Trio Gomina,
>>Quinteto Real...(all of which show a good deal of jazz influence) with
>>these ensembles I often feel like I can alternate between rhythm
>>section, and melodic, lyrical gestures because the divisions are so
>>clear within the ensemble...Again, I think its just a matter of taste
>>and perspective, not anything inherent in the music itself.
>
>I have to agree with Tom completely. All these musical ensembles that Korey
>quotes are extremely difficult to dance tango to. The "freedom" and "room to
>interpret" which Korey speaks about is basically a myth for the average
>dancer. The only dancers (IMHO) who can dance well to those orquestras are
>very experienced and gifted dancers. The reason so many beginners or
>non-dancers like that music is because they can more easily ignore it and
>move around as though they are dancing.

As a musician, Korey certainly has the understanding and ability to
become part of the orchestra even when the music is modern.

I'll stand by my distaste for Libertango as a dance number. Put it
on, and the crowd starts bouncing around like lindy hoppers. Milongas
with a candombe beat are much more my favorite.

Likewise, the problem isn't that one can NOT dance to Adio Nonino.
This is an intense piece that call for a great dancer. Social dance
and performance are very different. I'm in seventh heaven when the
crowd is so together that they follow perfectly the musical
variations within Pugliese.

That is challenge enough for me!


I have to be sure not to leave the impression that I am an
ultra-traditionalist.

While I'm primarily oriented toward the rhythmic music, I have been
known to play much more varied music. I rarely play anything post
1940, but for Pugliese, BUT, I have a few odd favorites like Nelly
Furtado and Sublime. (Nelly Furtado is the Canadian pop/hip-hop
singer; Sublime is a texas punk-ska band.)

Quite a bit of modern music has a "habanera beat", a slow, romantic
heart-beat. Fabrizio de Andre's CD "Anime Salve" for example has some
very nice things on it. Also Passatori by Richard Galliano.

You have to know why and when to play this stuff. As Dan says, it is
all about the right moment...which still could offend
unintentionally...I've done it, but the rest of the crowd went with
me.

The whole evening is a palette of different moods, and the DJs
responsibility is to paint emotions for the dancers. Bold strokes and
strong contrasts make it easier for the crowd to go with you.


--

Tom Stermitz
http://www.tango.org/
stermitz @tango.org
303-388-2560