Sexteto Mayor

Sexteto Mayor took its cue from the sextet model that Julio De Caro introduced to Argentinian tango orchestration in 1924. The ensemble originated in 1973 inside the residence of Carlos Gardel and was led by bandoneon players and arrangers Jose Libertella and Luiz Stazo. Although the fundamental instrumentation of bandoneon, twin fiddle, bass, and piano has never changed, an array of musicians have imparted their individual approaches to the group's overall sound. Founding pianist Juan Mazzadi was succeeded by Armando Cupo, who was later replaced by Oscar Palermo, while original bassist Omar Murtagh passed the chair to Kicho Diaz and then Eduardo Aulicano. The violin positions now held by Mario Abramovich and Eduardo Walczak were earlier occupied by Mauricio Mise, Fernando Suarez Paz, Reynaldo Nichele, and Hugo Baralis. Contemporary influences appear in the arrangements, yet Sexteto Mayor remains anchored in the traditional language of Argentinian music. Though tango forms the core of their repertoire, the band also performs numerous waltzes and milongas. Violinist Eduardo Walczak died on December 15, 2023, at the age of 94.