Named for the time difference between the port cities of Buenos Aires and Yokohama, this program explores a marriage of Argentine nuevo tango with Japanese traditional music, while celebrating the long legacy of the tango in Japan. The tango arrived in Japan in the 1920’s and its popularity boomed through the 30’s and 40’s, spurred in part by the prohibition of American jazz during World War II. Ziegler, who first visited Japan in the 80's while on tour with his longtime collaborator Astor Piazzolla, has held a longstanding interest in Japanese traditional music ever since this first encounter. 

The evening will include solo and duo works from each culture, and culminate in the piece 12 Horas, commissioned from Pablo Ziegler by the Yokohama Noh Theater and the Yokohama Arts Foundation and premiered at Minato Mirai Hall in Yokohama in February 2016. 12 Horas is a mixed ensemble suite that celebrates the respectful exchange between these two vital cultural traditions, combining shakuhachi (traditional Japanese vertical bamboo flute), koto (traditional Japanese harp), bandoneon, piano, percussion and string quintet. With 12 Hours: Argentina Meets Japan, Ziegler brings these traditional Japanese timbres in dialogue with the bittersweet sounds of Argentine tango.

"Ziegler... plays straight from the beating, bleeding heart of nuevo tango, with its Argentinian mix of swagger and sweetness."

The Guardian

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"Ziegler continues to push the art form forward... nuevo tango's leading living exponent."

All About Jazz

"He is cool, understated and makes everything look easy and natural... Just as a really suave tango dancer seems not to move with feet but on wheels, Ziegler skates the keyboard."

The Los Angeles Times

"No one embodies the art of the tango better."

Lincoln Journal Star

"Sensational… an exceptional fusion between Tango and Japanese traditional music."

Latina Magazine