Los Changos

LOS CHANGOSTo describe the music of Los Changos, you would have to learn different languages: the language of classical music that had a strong impact in the development of composer Julio Santillan; the language of Tango and folkloric music of his native Argentina and the language of jazz, that is evident in the new generations of composers. But I would dare to say, that not even understanding these worlds you would be able to describe the magic hidden behind this fine ensemble of musicians. Those three styles, so different from each other, find in “Los changos” a point of connection, a door to unlimited musical possibilities. Los Changos’s was formed by guitarist/composer Julio Santillan and drummer Franco Pinna when they both attended Berklee College of music in 1998. Bassist Fernando Huergo, a Berklee faculty, joined them later and the group started recording and performing in and outside the US. They have participated in many concerts and festivals in the east coast including: XIII International Folk Festival (Boston, MA); III & IV Argentina Jazz Festival (New York, NY); II,III & IV Latin Culture Week (Boston, MA). The group has toured Argentina in many opportunities. In 2001 the trio released their first CD called “Desde el Norte” (BigSur Records). In 2003 Los Changos added voice, flute, clarinet and accordion and released "Anit Negra" (BigSur Records), their first CD as a septet. "Ñann", their last cd was released in 2005 by the new york label CAP records. The repertoire of the ensemble is original music by Julio Santillan, who received the prestigious “Meet the Composer/Van Lier Fellowship Award” in 2004, the  Louis Armstrong Jazz Award, the Arif Mardin Award and the ASCAPlus Award.