“Copla & Tango” is a performance that highlights the most distinctive musical genres in Spain and Argentina between 1930-60. Even that each country cultivated their own musical genres, they share some themes in their lyrics like love gone wrong, fighting between men, passion, etc.
At the beginning of the 20th century waves of immigrants from different parts of Europe arrived to Buenos Aires port. They brought their own customs and music. Later, at the tenement houses (conventillos), they share their music. In this way the Spanish copla became one of the musical influence in early tangos in Argentina.
Performers
ADA LIS JIMENA, voice
Originally from Mendoza, Argentina. Ada Lis Jimena earned her B.M degree in Music Education from Music School, National University of Cuyo, Mendoza, Argentina and her master degree in Evaluation in Education from Playa Ancha University, Chile.
Meanwhile she lived in Argentina, Ada Lis developed his career in Music Pedagogy as Music and Drama Teacher through K-12 grade. She also served as Altus leader as well as Chairperson and Associate Professor in Music Pedagogy and Voice at several Music Conservatories and the School of Music in Mendoza.
Since moving to USA in 2002, Ada Lis works as writer, director, performer and producer of her own concerts and educational programs based in the music of Argentina as well as other repertoire including Latin-American, Spanish, Catalonian and French. She has performed in Malaysia and Singapore as well different venues in USA including Opera Roanoke, Young Audiences of Virginia, Emerging Artists at Roanoke Libraries, Roanoke College, Hollins University, University of Maryland and Wofford College (N.C.) as well as other concert spaces in Virginia, Maryland, Michigan and Washington, D.C. Since 2012, Ada Lis has expanded her career as lecturer presenting “Tango history”, “Argentina folk regions” and “The invisible training: how to keep your voice ageless”, at universities and music schools in USA and Argentina. In 2015 Ada Lis has performed poetry-music recitals together with students at the Spanish Department at Roanoke College, VA. She has presented “Latin American women” based in Latin American women poets and music by Ariel Ramirez, as well as “El patio de Federico” based on the Spanish poet, play writer and musician Federico Garcia Lorca. Ada Lis lived in Salem, VA during thirteen years. Currently she lives in Pittsburgh.
For more information about Ada Lis artist background visit adalisjimena.com
TOM ROBERTS, collaborative piano
Originally from Pittsburgh, PA, Tom Roberts is one of the leading exponents of early jazz piano today. He has performed on The Tonight Show with Johnny Carson and The Statler Brothers Show on TNN. Tom arranged and performed the music for the soundtrack of Martin Scorsese’s film The Aviator, starring Leonardo di Caprio, as well as several titles for the film De-Lovely.
He was the featured pianist at the International Stride Piano Summit in Zurich, Switzerland 2001 and 2009. Tom was pianist for Vince Giordano and the Nighthawks in New York City and pianist and musical director for Leon Redbone for six years.
Tom has recorded over 40 albums and has performed throughout the United States and Europe.
He continues to tour worldwide and perform with bands from New Orleans and New York, including the Original Dixieland Jazzband and the Lousiana Repertory Jazz Ensemble.
Besides his pianistic artistry Tom is a versatile music historian with special focus on the Early Jazz era. He has contributed articles for magazines such as Piano Today and is a frequent guest at National Public Radio.
For more information about Tom artist background visit tomrobertspiano.com
