We are extremely happy that we have so many supporters – I think it is OK to call them fans? – who have contributed to our success. Our performance at the Waterfront was a success and we are planning our trip to Gauteng. I will be playing Tango concerts in addition to classical music concerts in Singapore in June – and naturally promote and sell the albums while I am there. So there is much activity going on!

Our latest CD is selling well, and the launch was an enormous success. We are getting regular radio time, and people are listening to our muisc! It has also generated a new wave of interest in our first CD. This email is to summarise where it is easiest to buy the discs or downloadable tracks, and to give you some recent reviews.

The cheapest way is obvioulsy to buy the discs directly from the group members. (Contact me for details). And we always have discs to sell directly at our many gigs and concerts. But many of our friends and fans live far away and need to buy it through a regular outlet.

I would appreciate it if you would forward this mail to anybody you know who might be interested in Argentine Tango, the music of Astor Piazzolla, or simply beautiful music. People living overseas would also find it easy to shop at the Online Distributer we have set up below. All the sites enable you to Listen Before You Buy. Sounds fair, doesn’t it?

CT Tango Ensemble’s new CD Tango Club will be on sale at branches of Look & Listen throughout South Africa. Our first CD El Tango en Africa  is on sale locally through RhythmMusicStore.
Both our CD’s – Tango Club and El Tango en Africa - are also on sale internationally in album format and as downloadable MP3 tracks from iTunes and CDBaby – just click the links below.

Listen to El Tango en Africa here:
http://www.albertcombrink.com/2010/04/24/el-tango-en-africa-demo-tracks-from-the-cd-with-the-ct-tango-ensemble/

Buy El Tango en Africa here:
in Rands: http://rhythmmusicstore.com/music/58/Cape-Town-Tango-Ensemble/El-Tango-En-Africa
and in Dollars: http://www.cdbaby.com/cd/ctte

Read Reviews of El Tango en Africa here:
http://www.albertcombrink.com/2010/04/24/reviews-of-the-cd-el-tango-en-africa-by-the-cape-town-tango-ensemble/

Listen to Tango Club here: http://www.albertcombrink.com/2010/04/17/tango-club-demo-tracks/

Buy Tango Club here:
http://www.cdbaby.com/cd/ctte2

Read Reviews of Tango Club here:
http://www.albertcombrink.com/2010/04/11/reviews-of-tango-club-by-the-ct-tango-ensemble

Thanks very much and hope you have a day filled with love and music!

Albert Combrink

My Blog has moved to www.albertcombrink.com

… a special African flavor’ of wildness and mystery.~ Tania Lukic-Marx: Accordions Worldwide

I found them colorful and interesting~ Tania Lukic-Marx: Accordions Worldwide

A sensual and dance-tastic album in an Afri-Tango mood ~ Editor: SA Rock Digest, Issue # 205, 16 June 2003

If you love to tango like Al Pacino, then this is for you. ~ Editor: SA Rock Digest, Issue # 205, 16 June 2003

A full bodied and potent performance ~ Tania Lukic-Marx: Accordions Worldwide

Offers a great variety, which makes it really interesting~ Tania Lukic-Marx: Accordions Worldwide

~ Stanislav does a professional job on the accordion as does the Ensemble as a whole ~ Tania Lukic-Marx: Accordions Worldwide

The pianist in particular, made quite an impression on me ~ Tania Lukic-Marx: Accordions Worldwide

Tania Lukic-Marx, international Accordionist and CD reviewer for music magazines and the leading website in the flied, Accordions Worldwide, awarded the CD 4 stars out of 5 on an international rating.

Album of the Week ~ SA Rock Digest, Issue # 211, 28 July 2003

Das Cape Town Tango Ensemble ist wirklich sehr gut was seine Musik anbelangt ~ Editor: Accordion.com

… die eerste regte, egte Suid-Afrikaanse tango-album ~ Mariana Malan: Die Burger, 8 September 2003, p.6

Die album is uniek in die opsig dat Afrika-klanke deeglik met die tradisionele tango-ritme inskakel.
(Transl: The album is unique in the African sounds blend in thoroughly with the traditional tango rhythm.)~ Mariana Malan: Die Burger, 8 September 2003, p.6

Daar word ‘n ongekende warmte en diepte uit sy [Ricardo Fiorio] note gehaal
(Tranls: A hitherto unkown warmth and depth is brought forth out of the notes of Ricarodo Fiorio.) ~ Mariana Malan: Die Burger, 8 September 2003, p.6

Hierdie album is vir luisteraars en dansers.
(Transl: This album is for listeners and dancers) ~ ~ Mariana Malan: Die Burger, 8 September 2003, p.6

El Tango en Africa features the following artists

Albert Combrink – Piano

Stanislav Angelov – Accordeon

Jacek Domagala – Violin

Basil Heald – Double Bass

and guest artists:

Violina Anguelov – Mezzo Soprano

Dizu Plaatjies – African Percussion (including Djemba and Kayomba)

El Tango en Africa can be bought as an album, or as MP3 tracks, at www.rhythmmusicstore.com

Released March 2010 on Good Music World - www.goodmusic.co.za

Passionate fun ~ Zane Henry, Argus (Tonight) - 23 March 2010, p.3

The rich sounds and fine musicianship are a pleasure to listen to even if you have never done the tango ~ Dominic Wardall, The Big Issue - 9 April 2020, p.37

Fans can expect to hear and see something quite extraordinary ~ Jason Curtis, Cape Times (Arts)- 23 March 2010, p.10

The album artwork is equally compelling. ~ Jason Curtis, Cape Times (Arts) – 23 March 2010, p.10

… nie net ‘n fees vir die oor nie, maar ook vir die oog.
(Transl. Not just a feast for the ear, but also for the eye) ~ Arts Editor, Rapport (My Tyd), 21 March 2010, p.4

The Baxter gets steamy… ~ Zane Henry, Argus (Tonight) – 23 March 2010, p.3

This is definitely not just another Tango CD – it is the second original South African Tango CD. ~ Editor, Thingstodocapetown - 19 March 2010

This exciting new offering has a real South African twist that sets their work apart from others and explores the boundary of jazz and other modern Latin genres. ~ Mark Hoeben, Thingstodocapetown – 19 March 2010

All photos by Angelos Papakonstantino

Charles Lazar

Stanislav Angelov

James Grace

Albert Combrink

Jacek Domagala

Willie van Zyl

Kevin Gibson on Drums

Jenny Altshuler and Calvin Enslin

TangoCapeTown's Mark Hoeben and partner

My Blog has moved to www.albertcombrink.com

All photos in this post by Angelos Papakonstantino

For more photographs, please see the following post: CT Tango Ensemble CD Launch PHOTOS – “Tango Club” at the Baxer (1)

Onstage Milonga

Stanislav Angelov

Guest artist James Grace

Jacek Domagala

Sylvia Westcott & Alexey Cherkaev - photo Marlize Stander

Willie van Zyl's improvisations were dazzling

Charles wasn't quick enough to get out from behind his Double Bass for this picture

Charles didn't make this one either!

Charles Lazar caught on the piano: perhaps composing some more music for our next CD?

What a wonderful audience!

Stanislav Angelov

My Blog has moved to www.albertcombrink.com

Photos in this post by Angelos Papakonstantino

For more photographs please see the following two blog posts:

~ CT Tango Ensemble CD Launch PHOTOS – “Tango Club” at the Baxer (2)

~ CT Tango Ensemble CD Launch PHOTOS – “Tango Club” at the Baxer (3) (Black & White)

Baxter Concert Hall packed to the brim

Charles Lazar

Albert CombrinkViolinist Jacek DomagalaJames GraceWillie van ZylMark Hoeben, Zdenka Buriankova and Albert Combrink

My Blog has moved to www.albertcombrink.com

“Sweeter than Roses” - English and Italian songs of the joys of love by Purcell, Britten, Mozart, Sondheim incl. “My Fair Lady”

DATE: Sunday, 25 April 2010

TIME: 15:00 – 16:30

VENUE: Masque Theatre – 37 Main Road, Muizenberg

BOOKING DETAILS: 021 – 788 1898 (Mon. to Fri. 09:00 to 16:00)

TICKETS: R60 (R50 Theatre Club members – regrettably no Credit Card Bookings available)

“Sweeter than Roses” - English and Italian songs of the joys of love by Purcell, Britten, Mozart, Sondheim incl. “My Fair Lady”
This delightful programme of mostly English songs explores the joys and dreams of young lovers through the songs of Purcell (“If music be the food of love”), Britten’s famous Folksong settings (“The Foggy, foggy dew”) and operatic extracts by Mozart, that master of comic characterisation. The three singers and pianist are all noted for their variety and perform in different styles, taking the audience through a tale of love lost, found and lost again. Shirley Sutherland will lead the second half of the programme with extracts from “My Fair Lady”, the show in which she had a major triumph at the Artscape Theatre in 2008. Louise Howlett, a veteran stage performer, will include extracts from her soon-to-be released second CD from the musicals “Cats” and “A Little Night Music”. Baritone John Hardie – winner of various awards such as the Leonard Hall Memorial Prize – is the perfect foil for the two ladies. He will be the Figaro to their Suzanna and Cherubino and the Don Giovanni to their Zerlinas. The programme will reflect the more playful aspect of young love, from the charm and beauty of setting of Shakespeare to more contemporary and popular music. The fact that most of the songs are in English makes this a programme with instant appeal for audiences of all ages. The keyword is variety, and versatility is what this set of performers are known for.

Meet the perfromers

Pianist and presenter Albert Combrink

Pianist Albert Combrink devised and compiled the programme as well making musical arrangements and accompanying the singers. He has worked as accompanist and musical director from the opera house to the musicals stage. Magic Flute (Isango Portabello) won a London Critics’ Olivier Award and  Assassins (New Space Theatre) won two Fleur du Caps. International arrtists with whom he has worked include American soprano Judith Kellock and British superstar Lesley Garrett. Recordings as orchestral member and soloist with orchestras include works by Hendrik Hofmeyr and Alfred Schnittke with the Cape Town Philharmonic Orchestra. His broad interest in music has enabled him to put on a number of off-beat and unusual programmes. These include Ladies & Ladders (Kalfiefees), Dangerous Liaisons (Beau Soleil), and Moonlight Serenade (Kirstenbosch Chamber Music Series) – the latter in collaboration with Louise Howlett). He has been musical director of the Rotary Opera in a Convent Garden since 2007. He is member of the CT Tango Ensemble which recently launched its second CD Tango Club to a sell-out audience at the Baxter Theatre.

Soprano Louise Howlett: equally at home from Bach to Blues

Soprano Louise Howlett studied singing at the Royal College of Music in London, with Margaret Cable. She performed at the Bergen Festival and Edinburgh Main and Fringe Festivals, as well as performing in the award winning production of The Ragged Child at the Sadlers Wells Theatre. Originally classically trained, her love of jazz and the musicals led her to create her own unique combination of classical, broadway and jazz “Across the Styles” projects out of which her “Serenade” series was born.  These productions can vary from classical versions, to jazz standard evenings to the full range of genres blended into one programme. She has performed with great success at various venues and festivals including the Kirstenbosch Winter Chamber Music Series, the Greyton Rose Festival, and most recently at the Baxter Theatre. In one season she performed both in the classical line-up of Barry Smith’s Concert Series at St. Andrew’s Cathedral, and at the Big Blues Festival in Kleinmond.

Baritone John  Hardie studied singing at UCT and Stellenbosch University and his teachers include Sarita Stern, Nellie du Toit and Marita Napier. He sang with Capab Opera for 3 years taking part in productions of “Albert Herring” and “Cosi fan Tutte”. He won the College of Music Opera prize in 1988 and 1989, the Friends of the Nico Malan Opera Prize in 1990, the Leonard Hall memorial Prize in 1991. He has performed professionally with accompanists such as Albie van Schalkwyk, Tommy Rajna and Neil Solomon.

Shirley Sutherland entertains in musicals and opera

Soprano Shirley Sutherland has proven her versatility in the fields of Opera, Muiscals and Oratorio. With Cape Town Opera she toured Sweden and Germany in productions of Rusalka, and Showboat. Her many awards include the Cape Times Best Actress Award for her role of Roxy in Chicago. She has been seen in concert around the country, including Richard Cock’s Last Night of the Proms and various oratorios.

Read more about some of the works on the programme on the following posts:

~ Benjamin Britten Folksong (re)settings: when artsong meets folksong

~ Schoenberg to Sondheim: Louise Howlett & Albert Combrink perform at Kirstenbosch

~ Breaking Rules: Discussing performers who cross over different styles and genres

My Blog has moved to www.albertcombrink.com

The Cape Town Tango Ensemble launched its new CD Tango Club in March 2010 on the Good Music World Label. (Click here for Press Release) One of the most popular tracks from the new CD has been Adios, composed and arranged by the ensemble’s Bandoneonist and Accordionist Stanislav Angelov. The first time we performed it was at the final milonga (Dance Evening) hosted by TangoCapeTown’s Mark Hoeben, in the beautiful old club, The Valve. This venue sadly had to make way for a parking lot – a particularly unattractive one at that, even for a parking lot. The hall was a grand old dame reflecting the best of Cape Town’s past and had special significance for us: that was where we launched our first CD, El Tango en Africa, and it was also there where we put in many hours as performers, honing our skills in the music of this wonderful dance.

For me, there is a melancholy in this tango that is arresting every time I hear it. The piano has not got that much to do in the sphere of solos and drama, which gives me opportunity to appreciate the tender and intimate atmosphere it conjures up.

You can follow the link below to YouTube, for a clip from the DVD Paulaner Music Festival 2008 on which this track was first released.

Click here to listen to Adios – composed by Stanislav Angelov.

CT Tango Ensemble performing live during the 2008 October Music Festival at Paulaner Restaurant at the Cape Town V & A Waterfront the song Adios from their new CD Tango Club (Launched at Baxter Concert Hall – Cape Town on 23 March at 20h15)
Stanislav Angelov – Bandoneon, Jacek Domagala – Violin, Albert Combrink – Piano & Dave Ridgway – Double Bass
Music by Stanislav Angelov www.goodmusic.co.za
Recorded LIVE  & produced by Marek Pinski from CDXpress (pinski@iafrica.com)

Click on the pictures below for a larger view.

"Tango Romance" - Chris Shields

My Blog has moved to www.albertcombrink.com

This is a compliation of weblinks to the various press releases and related articles about the 2010 launch of Tango Club, the latest CD by the CT Tango Ensemble. It is released on the new Record Label Good Music World.

This page will be updated as new postings appear.

Press Release: CT Tango Ensemble CD Launch – “Tango Club” – Baxter Concert Hall 23/03/2010, 20.15 - the original press release contains the Launch Concert Poster, the CD Cover as well as photographs of all artists on the CD.

CT Tango Ensemble on YouTube – ADIOS by Stanislav Angelov (From the lastest CD “Tango Club”) – a brief introduction to the song Adios by Stanislav Angelov, and a YouTube link to our performance of it at the Paulaner Music Festival 2008, at the Victoria & Alfred Waterfront, Cape Town.

Astor Piazzolla: Cobblestone to Dancefloor to Concert Hall – a discussion of the birth of Piazzolla’s Tango Nuevo style, and the Cape Town Tango Ensemble’s affinity for and history with this wonderful composer.

Cape Town Tango Ensemble MP3 and Video clips – a selection of websites that sell MP3′s or carry demos and visual material from shows and concerts we have done in the past, including our two CD releases.

Milonga del Angel: Cape Town Tango Ensemble dancing with Angels – a discussion of this work, central to the work of both Piazzolla and the CT Tango Ensemble. It contains discussion about the individual contribution of our guest artists on the album, such as James Grace.

La Muerte del Angel – CT Tango Ensemble - a discussion of Fugal writing, and Angel Symbolism in Piazzola’s works. It also discusses how my arrangement of this work explores the affinity between Piazzolla and other 20th Century classical composers such as Igor Stravinsky.

CT Tango Ensemble blends the old and the new in Julian Plaza’s famous milonga – a discussion around the roots of the Tango in Argentina during the early 20th Century. It also explores cultural traditions around the social conventions of the dancefloor, and uses our recording of Plaza’s Payadora as an illustration of the challenge and complexity of blending tradition with innovation.

Bandoneon – King of Tango: CT Tango Ensemble’s Stanislav Angeulov talks about using the Bandoneon on their new CD “Tango Club” – a discussion of how Angeulov – originally a solo Accordionist – came to play the Bandoneon in the first place. Through interviews with Angeulov and Rodolfo Mederos, this posting explores the relationship between the Tango and the Bandoneon.

Not all Black and White: Stanislav Angelov compares the Bandoneon to the Accordion – Stanislav Angelov – to use the alternate spelling of his name – performs and records professionally on both the Bandoneon and Accordion. This post explores the qualities each of these instruments brings to the Tango, and to the CT Tango Ensemble. Stanislav is uniquely qualified to chair this discussion, as he is one of the very few – if not the only one – to have recorded both instruments on one Tango CD

CT Tango Ensemble CD Launch Baxter Concert Hall: 23 March 2010, 20.15 – the poster for the launch event – a live Milonga on stage.

Reviews of “Tango Club” by the CT Tango Ensemble – a collection of press-reviews of the CD and launch concert.

CT Tango Ensemble CD Launch Photos – a post with photos from the highly successful Launch Concert at the sold-out Baxter Concert Hall. The post contains links to two more posts of pictures.

All artwork in this post by Chris Shields  – http://www.illustratedwildlife.com/

Tango Feet - Chris Shields