Juan José Mosalini

Juan José Mosalini entered the world in Buenos Aires in 1943. At the age of eight he received his first lessons on the bandoneon, along with traditional repertoire, from his father and grandfather, both of them musicians. Largely self-taught, he absorbed much of his knowledge from music performed in the streets. By thirteen he was already appearing in ballrooms as a member of an ensemble that included four bandoneonists, four violinists, a pianist, a double bassist, and two singers. In 1961 he captured first prize in a competition mounted by Argentinean television. Professional life began at seventeen; while contemporaries turned toward rock, he dedicated himself entirely to traditional music. He relocated to France in 1997 and has remained there ever since, continuing to reside, perform, and compose. An innovator, Mosalini has collaborated in performance and on recordings with other musicians who share his outlook, his central aim being to preserve a cultural heritage while guiding it toward future developments. He issued a bandoneon teaching method in 1986. The following year he inaugurated the first bandoneon class at Gennevilliers National Music School and simultaneously released a volume of bandoneon scores. Juan José Mosalini is already a legend of the Argentinean tango.