Biography

PEDRO MENÉNDEZ is a prolific composer, more than 300 pieces for the most varied ensembles.
As a talented multinstrumentalist, he naturally changes from the piano to the flute, guitar, soprano sax or bandoneon, performing virtuoso on improvisations and with subtlety selecting notes upon developed armonies.

His own and personal composition style as well as his vast discography are the reflect of his long trayectory of quests on the rythms of his country folk music -tango, candombe, chacarera- and the strong influences of jazz, bossa nova and contemporary classical expressions.

As a bold creator, he certainly proposes a new different, innovative tango and Latin American folk concept. The compositions bright for his direction as well as for the interpretation of the chosen musicians.

PEDRO MENÉNDEZ BIO:

PEDRO MENÉNDEZ was born in Buenos Aires in 1957.

He has been dedicated to the music since he was 7 years old. He studied with professors as the worldwide known Oscar Aleman ( Josephine Baker's jazz guitarist), Arturo Schneider (Astor Piazzolla´s flutist) and the contemporary classical guitarist Miguel Angel Girollet, among others. He also attended the composition career at the UCA (Universidad Católica Argentina).

His composition style was mainly influenced by the rythms of his country folk music - tango, chacarera, zamba, and candombes- jazz, Brazilian rythms such as bossa nova or capoeira and contemporary classical expressions, which can be appreciate throughout his vast discography.

He has recorded 11 discographic works with compositions of his own and the participation of distinguished musicians as Osvaldo Fattoruso on drums (from the latin jazz Band 'Opa'), Rodolfo Mederos, Marcelo Nissinman on bandoneon, percussionist Rubén Rada, musicians from the Colón Theatre orchestra, among others.

In the field of contemporary chamber music, he has written several pieces including a concert for Vibraphone and Strings dedicated to the Argentine Soloist Daniel Serale that was premiered on the International Percussion Festival of Patagonia, Argentina, 2006, a concert for Marimba dedicated to the Mexican wellknown Soloist Javier Nandayapa and a work of 20 pieces for Piano based on Latin American rythmics (‘Viaje por Latinoamérica’/Voyage through Latin America’ Book I / Book II). He has also written and recorded a concert for Guitar and Orchestra.
He has composed incidental music for television, theatre and cinema (Argentina and the Munich School of Cinema).

Troughout his career he has played with many wellknown musicians of the local scene of Argentina, like Luis Salinas, Agustín Pereyra Lucena, Guillermo Reuter (2004 SGAE Award), Daniel 'Pipi' Piazzolla, Lito Nebbia, Bossa n´Stones, etc.

He has a long career in international live performances.
He tournee in Norway and Germany with the 'Trio de Janeiro' (Agustín Pereyra Lucena - Pedro Menéndez - Guillermo Reuter) performing on radio, TV, live concerts, jazz festivals, universities and theatres.
During 2001 he stayed in Spain and France, featuring compositions of his own as well as traditional tango with the 'Rojo Tango' Ensemble in festivals and 'milongas'.
His more recent performances include the last '6th BUENOS AIRES JAZZ & OTHER MUSICS" International Jazz Festival (May 2007, Buenos Aires, Argentina), the SOUTH BY SOUTHWEST MUSIC FESTIVAL & CONFERENCE, tRHIZOME COLLECTIVE International Show, a live concert recording at KUT FM (March, 2008, AUSTIN, TEXAS, USA), and the last FESTIVAL DE INVERNO (July 17th, 18th, 19th, 2008, RIO DE JANEIRO, BRASIL).


Todd S. Jenkins – All about jazz.com
“Wonderfully sensual evocations from South America.
Pedro Menendez is a multi-instrumentalist from
Argentina who has a fresh ear for blending the sounds of
different musics... Recommended.”

John Doll – Jazzreview.com
“His music is a whirlwind of the influences ranging from
Brazilian bossa nova, contemporary classical, tango,
Argentinian folk, and American jazz. The music is like a
gentle breeze on an otherwise warm still night in a
warm country very much like Argentina. Its rhythms
are graceful. It sways more than it swings. Menendez
tends to remain understated in making his point...
As is the rest of the album, it is simple
and wise, graceful and heartfelt.”

Six-Word Reviews of 763 SXSW MP3 by Paul Ford
Introspective, engaging minor-key Argentinian jazz. *****

Full Discography

America Solar – 2007
Arquitectura Tango - 2006
Profundidad - 2005
Mi Buenos Aires herido - 2003
Secretos de la guitarra - 2002
Luna - 1999
Viaje por Latinoamérica - 1993
Cantos Secretos - 1989
Nuevos Caminos - 1986
Capoeira - 1984
Hora del Eclipse - 1983