Fernando Suarez Pazguest artist available with Cuartetango String Quartet and Cuartetango Music & Dance Company in April 2010.
Fernando Suárez Paz was born on January 1st, 1941 in Buenos Aires where he studied violin. During seventeen years, Suarez Paz was one of the first violin players to the Buenos Aires Philharmonic Orchestra. He specialized in Tango, performing as a soloist for most of the Argentine ensembles and orchestras. He performed as a Concertino with Burt Bacharach, Lalo Schifrin, Michel Legrand, Waldo de los Rios and other important conductors.
In 1978, summoned by Maestro Astor Piazzolla, he played with the famous Nuevo Tango Quintet all over the world, until the quintet was dissolved. During those years he recorded, accompanying Astor Piazzolla, eighteen albums and film tracks (some of which received important awards for its music) in different parts of the world. Maestro Piazzolla dedicated to him the famous song “Escualo”.
His outstanding performances at jazz festivals in Europe, USA and Japan with vibraphonist Gary Burton were recognized by international critics.
In 1991 Fernando Suárez Paz recorded, as soloist, "Concierto de Nacar" by Astor Piazzolla, with the Buenos Aires Philharmonic Orchestra, conducted by Maestro Pedro Ignacio Calderon. That same year he recorded his first album as conductor and soloist of his string ensemble dedicated to Astor Piazzolla ("Strings for Piazzolla"). In March, 1993, this CD was nominated for an award by ACE (Critics of Show Business Association).
In February, 1993 he toured in France with the "Placer & Lloret Quintet," performing seven concerts at renowned jazz festivals. Again, in 1993, he performed for the first time "Concierto en Canto Negroriano" by Gabriel Senanes, dedicated to Fernando.
In 1995 he was named Member of the National Academy of Tango in Argentina. By the end of 1995, the American recording company "Arcadia Records" recorded "Concierto en Canto Negroriano," with Suárez Paz performing as a soloist.
In 1996, summoned by the Astor Piazzolla Foundation, Fernando Suarez Paz lead a Quintet with the original formation of the Piazzollian chamber ensemble. This Quintet is devoted to the interpretation of the genial Argentine composer and bandoneon player’s works. That same year Multimedios America named Fernando Suarez Paz Musical Conductor to "Astor Tango," a series of recitals in homage to Astor Piazzolla. In 1997, Suarez Paz and his Quintet were summoned by director Carlos Saura to record Piazzolla´s music for his film TANGO. That same year, he recorded an album called "Fuga y Misterio" with the Assad Duet. They toured in Europe and the United States. That same year, the cello player Yo-Yo Ma invited him on a concert tour of Japan.
In 1998, he formed a String Quartet for the National Academy of Tango, Argentina. Since 1999, besides performing Piazzolla´s works with his Quintet all over the world, the ensemble forms part of PIAZZOLLA TANGO VIVO, Julio Bocca´s show.
In the year 2000, Fernando played with the San Francisco Symphony Orchestra the piece “Canto Negrogiano” by Gabriel Senanes. The work was recorded at Skywalker Studios at George Lucas’ ranch in California. That February, Maestro Suárez Paz was invited to the Steinway Festival in Manchester, UK. In November and December, he toured with the international famous ballet dancer, Julio Bocca in USA.
In February and March, 2001, Fernando Suárez Paz toured in Europe with the Assad Duet. In 2002, his recording, dedicated to Astor Piazzolla, won a Grammy Award in the “Album of Tango” category. In May, he was invited to the Bergen Festival, Norway. That August, Suárez Paz represented Argentina together with Julio Bocca in Washington, D.C.
On July 4th, 2002, the opening of “Astor Triunfal” at the Colón Theatre commemorated the 10th anniversary of Maestro Piazzolla´s death. Series of concerts in Brazil, organized by the SESC, were held in memory of the great Argentine musician. On September 21st, Mr. Suárez Paz played as a soloist with the Philharmonic Orchestra of Buenos Aires at the Colón Theatre, performing the “Concierto en Canto Negroriano” composed and conducted by Gabriel Senanes.
In December, 2002, “Week of Tango” presented his last album “Por amor a Astor” (“For love to Astor”).
In 2003 he traveled with his Quintet to Europe and USA and, as a soloist, he played on different Argentine and worldwide stages. During a concert with his Quintet, at the Colon Theatre, Fernando was designated "Ciudadano Ilustre de la Ciudad Autónoma de Buenos Aires" (Distinguished Citizen) by the Legislature. He acts as Juror of Honor for "Premios Clarín." And he and his Quintet performed several concerts in Mexico.
In 2004, Suárez Paz formed a duet with Osvaldo Requena (piano). The duet played traditional, contemporary and their own repertoire at "Clásica y Moderna" and also recorded a CD. Fernando and his Quintet participated at the "VI Festival del Tango", sharing stage with CUARTETANGO, a string quartet conducted by his son Leonardo Suárez Paz (violin), at Teatro Presidente Alvear.
Among other shows, he and his Quintet performed at the First National Tango Festival of Junin and at La Falda (Córdoba) Festival, in July, 2005.
Suárez Paz presently forms part of different groups playing Astor Piazzolla's music all over the world, including with the Gary Burton Ensemble, Assad Trio and others. “Live in Brussels” with Sergio and Odair Assad has been published in Europe as a music CD and DVD. The National Academy of Tango honored him on his 50th anniversary of his music career.
Maestro Fernando Suárez Paz continues to tour in South America, Europe and the United States, with his Quintet and other ensembles.
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