Latest News

- Very pleased to announce that our latest CD "Córdoba" was nominated for the Jazz Independent Musicians Awards!!!

- Join us on April 24th @ the Zinc bar, where we'll be playing with the "Expansions" Big Band. 3 sets starting at 9pm!

- Review of our recent performance @ Zinc Bar (Nov 13 2012)

"From the opening notes of his “Push Gift” Giraudo’s prodigious abilities as a composer/arranger were instantly apparent, lush orchestrations inspiring the soloist’s expansive improvisation as his engaging bass lines navigated the band through both sudden and subtle shifts in tempo and rhythm."
By Russ Musto for "The New York City Jazz Record

- Pedro Giraudo is endorsed by the gold standard in string makers: D'Addario

'Córdoba' CD Reviews

- Pedro Giraudo's CD Córdoba has landed 4 winning categories from The Latin Jazz Corner’s “Best of 2011” Awards!

◦   2011 Latin Jazz Large Ensemble Album Of The Year
◦   2011 Latin Jazz Boundary Breaking Album Of The Year
◦   2011 South American Jazz Album Of The Year
◦   2011 Latin Jazz Composition Of The Year

"The rich eloquence of Giraudo's gorgeous artistic expression flows through the music with an undeniable grace. . .through the colors of Giraudo’s finely tuned compositions."
—Chip Boaz, Latin Jazz Corner

“ * * * * " - "Giraudo’s orchestra is lithe and light on its feet [with] the leader’s highly active bass and his movement-filled arrangements.”
—Downbeat Magazine

"Careening instrumental textures, dovetailing riffs, shifting terra firma and individualistic solo voices . . . Giraudo takes this band on an eye-opening journey through his world. His odyssey contains odd-metered music with intensely vibrant sounds and driving rhythms, graceful and reflective ruminations of a peaceful nature, and a Maria Schneider-esque savoir faire."
—Dan Bilawsky, All About Jazz

"Pedro Giraudo, from Argentina, is attracting rising attention in NY with his latest CD, "Córdoba." inspired by memories of his hometown in Argentina. In the featured suite, he blends traditional Argentine rhythm and Jazz. The mixture of heavy ensemble and thrilling solos on top of complicated rhythms makes this suite epic."
—Takehiko Tokiwa, Jazz Life (Japan)

"Giraudo's writing for big band is propulsive, determined, dense, tense."
—LondonJazz

"The arrangements are spot-on; the ensemble work of the 12-piece orchestra, breathtaking; the solos, exhilarating; and the compositions themselves, sturdy and expressive. The pieces unfold in ever-surprising ways, keeping the listener in a state of heightened anticipation". "...Giraudo delivers music full of humanity."
—Mel Minter, Sonic Reducer

"The music then thrives in richness of texture and in its myriad timbres in the joy and sorrow; gravity or flippancy of a passage through a land teeming with the simple, beautiful life. In fact Giraudo need do no more than cast a proverbial mirror on this land he so loves and transcribe the images that he sees there onto the landscape of music. This he does with the mastery of a painter daubing his canvas with a palette of sound."
—Raul Da Gama, Latin Jazz Network

"Pedro Giraudo's Orchestra is the hottest, swingingest and most exciting Latin jazz outfit to come along in years.This is the best, and most exciting, Latin jazz I’ve ever heard."
—Ric Bang, Jazz Scan

" * * * " - "Award-winning Argentinian bassist/composer Pedro Giraudo’s latest album offers some gems that include a three-part “Pueblo (Village),” “Sol Naciente (Sun Rising)” and “Latente (Dormant).”
—Jean-Keith Fagon, Capital Community News

"The music, bright, emotionally satisfying and mature, is filled with exciting solos, thoughtful melodies and fine harmonies. 2011 is proving to be another banner year for large ensemble recordings and Pedro Giraudo's CD is among the best."
—Richard B. Kamins, Step Tempest

Totally excellent Latin jazz on parade here. All the players are inspired and the originals are worth getting invested. This bass player is a consummate pro that knows how to make a set that just hits you between the eyes. Played right, played tight, this is must hearing for any Latin jazz fan that fully appreciates the real deal.
—Chris Spector, Midwest Record

" * * * * " - "This album is a wonderful mix of contrasts from the beautiful horn and woodwind sections to the bass and piano. The percussion from the Cajon and drums helps to keep the beat well throughout the album. This sounds like another wonderful potential award winner for Pedro.
—Mark Johnson, Sea of Tranquility

'El Viaje' CD Reviews

'El Viaje' sweeps top honors in Latin Jazz Corner's "Best Of 2009 Awards":

Best Latin Jazz Album ("El Viaje")

Best Latin Jazz Large Ensemble Album ("El Viaje")

Best Latin Jazz Composition (“El Bajonazo”)

Best Latin Jazz Trumpet Player (Jonathan Powell)

Best Latin Jazz Trombone (Ryan Keberle)

“an opulent listening experience of modern, orchestral jazz, brimming with passionate improvisations, deliberate contrapuntal melodies and plush harmonies.”

— John Murph, Downbeat Magazine

"With Carla Bley and Duke Ellington as root influences, Argentinean bassist-composer Pedro Giraudo's music combines high-concept swing with subtly akimbo Latin American rhythms, witty call-and-and-response conversations, and emotional sustenance aplenty. On his recent big-band album, El Viaje, this means everything from the expansive title suite to a meditative ballad about Hiroshima.

— Richard Gehr, The Village Voice

In the Sunday Arts section of the Miami Herald, Fernando Gonzalez picks "El Viaje" among his short list of releases of contemporary Latin jazz: "Exceptional large ensemble mixing jazz, classical music and Argentine tango and folk music."

“Arrangements that are harmonically rich, rhythmically challenging and charged with emotion. The group is full of compelling soloists. If Mingus were still around, he’d love this group.”

— Paul Blair, Hot House

“Giraudo’s new album, El Viaje, is a stunning example of large ensemble orchestration, proving that in a remarkably short time, the Argentine has absorbed the wisdom of such hallowed arrangers as Ellington, Gil Evans and Carla Bley and has staked out his own distinctive identity. The performances of his 12-member group are an uncommon mixture of orchestral bravado and chamber music-like structure and finesse.”

— Mark Holston, LatinoMagazine.com

We are thrilled to have a review AND a track on the CD sampler that comes with the Fall 2009 issue of JAZZIZ Magazine . For an online look: Click here

and in the white box at the bottom of the page, enter page 20.

“Another masterwork from Giraudo, an Argentinean bassist living in New York and running one of the most impressive orchestras around here. The writing, supple and sophisticated, is an example of how a composer, especially one gleefully between traditions, can draw on an immense amount of music. It’s often brilliant, and it’s always careful. Highly recommended.”

— Peter Watrous, Descarga.com

"His latest, "El Viaje," showcases his superb command of a large ensemble, as well as his broad emotional palette.

Sometimes tender, sometimes brash and always arranged for maximum emotional punch."

— Hank Shteamer, Time Out New York

“Giraudo's impressions make a solid statement about living and about creative jazz. . . this series of compositions gives jazz fans the world over a chance to celebrate.”

— Jim Santella, AllAboutJazz.com

“His intense, dynamic yet complex sound took the audience on a journey through nostalgic episodes and brought them back with the force of a tailwind that stirred their hearts beating and compelled them forward. Pedro’s compositions are quite complex, but his band members have been playing with him since the orchestra's formation, and perform as an ensemble with dazzling and exquisite harmony.”

— Motoko Hasegawa, Swing Journal (Japan)

“[Pedro Giraudo] created a world of sounds that went far beyond ordinary Jazz and Latin music. Moreover, the ever-changing harmony of the ensemble, as well as the virtuoso improvisations, achieved an extraordinary organic blend.”

— Takehiko Tokiwa, Jazz Life (Japan)

Some Previous Reviews

The [Argentine]-bred composer . . . applies rich, classically oriented figures and harmonies to offset simple melodies, and the percussion-augmented rhythm section employs native pulses so guilelessly that the result almost sounds straight-ahead. The whole harks back those historic Latin American–flavored collaborations between Carla Bley and Charlie Haden. . . Giraudo’s assemblage suggests that what audiences and great sidemen need is a few more ace conceptualists.

"play this remarkable new CD once - you won’t forget it. The experience is exhilarating." Click here for complete review

Editor's Pick: Highly recommended
"This is modern jazz and Latin music at its best."
Click here for complete review.

(Latin jazz radio from Italy)
"Un CD strepitoso... Una musica coinvolgente che ti entra nel sangue..."
www.vinilemania.net

"...this album is so inspiring, it’s hard to pick a favorite..."
Click here for complete review.

(in Spanish)
***** (Five Stars). Click here for complete review.

"...truly amazing."
for complete review and interview visit:
Click here for complete review.

" The bassist Pedro Giraudo features his own compositions in this large ensemble, which matches jazz protocols to the rhythmic lessons of his native Argentina."

	Latest News - Very pleased to announce that our latest CD "Córdoba" was nominated for the Jazz Independent Musicians Awards!!! - Join us on April 24th @ the Zinc bar, where we'll be playing with the "Expansions" Big Band. 3 sets starting at 9pm! - Review of our recent performance @ Zinc Bar (Nov 13 2012) "From the opening notes of his “Push Gift” Giraudo’s prodigious abilities as a composer/arranger were instantly apparent, lush orchestrations inspiring the soloist’s expansive improvisation as his engaging bass lines navigated the band through both sudden and subtle shifts in tempo and rhythm." By Russ Musto for "The New York City Jazz Record Subscribe to our mailing list - Pedro Giraudo is endorsed by the gold standard in string makers: D'Addario 'Córdoba' CD Reviews - Pedro Giraudo's CD Córdoba has landed 4 winning categories from The Latin Jazz Corner’s “Best of 2011” Awards! ◦ 2011 Latin Jazz Large Ensemble Album Of The Year ◦ 2011 Latin Jazz Boundary Breaking Album Of The Year ◦ 2011 South American Jazz Album Of The Year ◦ 2011 Latin Jazz Composition Of The Year "The rich eloquence of Giraudo's gorgeous artistic expression flows through the music with an undeniable grace. . .through the colors of Giraudo’s finely tuned compositions." —Chip Boaz, Latin Jazz Corner “ *** * * * " - "Giraudo’s orchestra is lithe and light on its feet [with] the leader’s highly active bass and his movement-filled arrangements.” —Downbeat Magazine "Careening instrumental textures, dovetailing riffs, shifting terra firma and individualistic solo voices . . . Giraudo takes this band on an eye-opening journey through his world. His odyssey contains odd-metered music with intensely vibrant sounds and driving rhythms, graceful and reflective ruminations of a peaceful nature, and a Maria Schneider-esque savoir faire." —Dan Bilawsky, All About Jazz "Pedro Giraudo, from Argentina, is attracting rising attention in NY with his latest CD, "Córdoba." inspired by memories of his hometown in Argentina. In the featured suite, he blends traditional Argentine rhythm and Jazz. The mixture of heavy ensemble and thrilling solos on top of complicated rhythms makes this suite epic." —Takehiko Tokiwa, Jazz Life (Japan) "Giraudo's writing for big band is propulsive, determined, dense, tense." —LondonJazz "The arrangements are spot-on; the ensemble work of the 12-piece orchestra, breathtaking; the solos, exhilarating; and the compositions themselves, sturdy and expressive. The pieces unfold in ever-surprising ways, keeping the listener in a state of heightened anticipation". "...Giraudo delivers music full of humanity." —Mel Minter, Sonic Reducer "The music then thrives in richness of texture and in its myriad timbres in the joy and sorrow; gravity or flippancy of a passage through a land teeming with the simple, beautiful life. In fact Giraudo need do no more than cast a proverbial mirror on this land he so loves and transcribe the images that he sees there onto the landscape of music. This he does with the mastery of a painter daubing his canvas with a palette of sound." —Raul Da Gama, Latin Jazz Network "Pedro Giraudo's Orchestra is the hottest, swingingest and most exciting Latin jazz outfit to come along in years.This is the best, and most exciting, Latin jazz I’ve ever heard." —Ric Bang, Jazz Scan " * * * " - "Award-winning Argentinian bassist/composer Pedro Giraudo’s latest album offers some gems that include a three-part “Pueblo (Village),” “Sol Naciente (Sun Rising)” and “Latente (Dormant).” —Jean-Keith Fagon, Capital Community News "The music, bright, emotionally satisfying and mature, is filled with exciting solos, thoughtful melodies and fine harmonies. 2011 is proving to be another banner year for large ensemble recordings and Pedro Giraudo's CD is among the best." —Richard B. Kamins, Step Tempest Totally excellent Latin jazz on parade here. All the players are inspired and the originals are worth getting invested. This bass player is a consummate pro that knows how to make a set that just hits you between the eyes. Played right, played tight, this is must hearing for any Latin jazz fan that fully appreciates the real deal. —Chris Spector, Midwest Record " * * * * " - "This album is a wonderful mix of contrasts from the beautiful horn and woodwind sections to the bass and piano. The percussion from the Cajon and drums helps to keep the beat well throughout the album. This sounds like another wonderful potential award winner for Pedro. —Mark Johnson, Sea of Tranquility 'El Viaje' CD Reviews 'El Viaje' sweeps top honors in Latin Jazz Corner's "Best Of 2009 Awards": Best Latin Jazz Album ("El Viaje") Best Latin Jazz Large Ensemble Album ("El Viaje") Best Latin Jazz Composition (“El Bajonazo”) Best Latin Jazz Trumpet Player (Jonathan Powell) Best Latin Jazz Trombone (Ryan Keberle) “an opulent listening experience of modern, orchestral jazz, brimming with passionate improvisations, deliberate contrapuntal melodies and plush harmonies.” — John Murph, Downbeat Magazine "With Carla Bley and Duke Ellington as root influences, Argentinean bassist-composer Pedro Giraudo's music combines high-concept swing with subtly akimbo Latin American rhythms, witty call-and-and-response conversations, and emotional sustenance aplenty. On his recent big-band album, El Viaje, this means everything from the expansive title suite to a meditative ballad about Hiroshima. — Richard Gehr, The Village Voice In the Sunday Arts section of the Miami Herald, Fernando Gonzalez picks "El Viaje" among his short list of releases of contemporary Latin jazz: "Exceptional large ensemble mixing jazz, classical music and Argentine tango and folk music." “Arrangements that are harmonically rich, rhythmically challenging and charged with emotion. The group is full of compelling soloists. If Mingus were still around, he’d love this group.” — Paul Blair, Hot House “Giraudo’s new album, El Viaje, is a stunning example of large ensemble orchestration, proving that in a remarkably short time, the Argentine has absorbed the wisdom of such hallowed arrangers as Ellington, Gil Evans and Carla Bley and has staked out his own distinctive identity. The performances of his 12-member group are an uncommon mixture of orchestral bravado and chamber music-like structure and finesse.” — Mark Holston, LatinoMagazine.com We are thrilled to have a review AND a track on the CD sampler that comes with the Fall 2009 issue of JAZZIZ Magazine . For an online look: Click here and in the white box at the bottom of the page, enter page 20. “Another masterwork from Giraudo, an Argentinean bassist living in New York and running one of the most impressive orchestras around here. The writing, supple and sophisticated, is an example of how a composer, especially one gleefully between traditions, can draw on an immense amount of music. It’s often brilliant, and it’s always careful. Highly recommended.” — Peter Watrous, Descarga.com "His latest, "El Viaje," showcases his superb command of a large ensemble, as well as his broad emotional palette. Sometimes tender, sometimes brash and always arranged for maximum emotional punch." — Hank Shteamer, Time Out New York “Giraudo's impressions make a solid statement about living and about creative jazz. . . this series of compositions gives jazz fans the world over a chance to celebrate.” — Jim Santella, AllAboutJazz.com “His intense, dynamic yet complex sound took the audience on a journey through nostalgic episodes and brought them back with the force of a tailwind that stirred their hearts beating and compelled them forward. Pedro’s compositions are quite complex, but his band members have been playing with him since the orchestra's formation, and perform as an ensemble with dazzling and exquisite harmony.” — Motoko Hasegawa, Swing Journal (Japan) “[Pedro Giraudo] created a world of sounds that went far beyond ordinary Jazz and Latin music. Moreover, the ever-changing harmony of the ensemble, as well as the virtuoso improvisations, achieved an extraordinary organic blend.” — Takehiko Tokiwa, Jazz Life (Japan)** Some Previous Reviews The [Argentine]-bred composer . . . applies rich, classically oriented figures and harmonies to offset simple melodies, and the percussion-augmented rhythm section employs native pulses so guilelessly that the result almost sounds straight-ahead. The whole harks back those historic Latin American–flavored collaborations between Carla Bley and Charlie Haden. . . Giraudo’s assemblage suggests that what audiences and great sidemen need is a few more ace conceptualists. "play this remarkable new CD once - you won’t forget it. The experience is exhilarating." Click here for complete review Editor's Pick: Highly recommended "This is modern jazz and Latin music at its best." Click here for complete review. (Latin jazz radio from Italy) "Un CD strepitoso... Una musica coinvolgente che ti entra nel sangue..." www.vinilemania.net "...this album is so inspiring, it’s hard to pick a favorite..." Click here for complete review. (in Spanish) ***** (Five Stars). Click here for complete review. "...truly amazing." for complete review and interview visit: Click here for complete review. " The bassist Pedro Giraudo features his own compositions in this large ensemble, which matches jazz protocols to the rhythmic lessons of his native Argentina."