STORIES OF TANGO
Overview
Stories of Tango is a multi-disciplinary, arts-based, educational and research project led by Jesús Castro-Balbi to explore the intersection of popular and classical music and the rich narratives of tango.
This project exists through partnerships with legendary tango figure and bandoneon player Daniel Binelli; Kennesaw State University (KSU) School of Communication and Media faculty Sangsun Choi; KSU students and colleagues; community ambassadors; and academic, community-based, and cultural organizations nationwide, including:
· Consulate General of Argentina in Atlanta (Georgia)
· Pan-American Musical Arts Research and Latino Cultural Week Festival (New York)
· Round Top Festival Institute (Texas)
· Spelman College (Georgia)
· Texas Christian University
Deliverables
1. “Castro-Balbi & Nuevo Tango,” a short documentary, presents the premise of Stories of Tango: what a classically trained musician can learn from and contribute to tango. This film was screened at:
· 2025 American Documentary and Animation Film Festival (AmDocs) in Palm Springs, CA.
· 2025 American Documentary and Animation Film Festival in Sitka, AK.
· 2025 Peaberry Film Festival in Canton, GA.
· 2025 KSU Latin American Film Festival.
2. A new collection of concert tango music for cello and bandoneon, including original compositions by Daniel Binelli, curated and performed by Jesús Castro-Balbi and Daniel Binelli.
Impact
1. Stories of Tango advances an authentic understanding of tango as a genre and of its value for classical musicians and for communities of tango enthusiasts around the world.
2. “Castro-Balbi & Nuevo Tango” articulates and illustrates the appeal of tango, and specifically of nuevo tango, for cellist Jesús Castro-Balbi.
3. Stories of Tango preserves, disseminates, and evolves both tango and chamber music while building vibrant communities through tango and through music.