Carlos Riganti

Carlos Gustavo Riganti (born March 16, 1951 in Buenos Aires, Argentina) is a tango drummer, teacher and band leader.

Early work and career

Born in Buenos Aires, Argentina; Riganti's family moved to San Isidro during his early childhood. A drummer from his youth, Riganti attended classes with recognized classic and jazz maestros such as Eduardo Krauss, Chiche Heger, Eduardo Casalla and Leon Augusto Jacobson.

On the late sixties he first became known as a member of Materia Gris. The band gained recognition for being the first argentine group to make a progressive rock opera. The album was named "Oh perra vida de Beto", recorded in 1970.

Coming to prominence in 1974 when he cofounded tango fusion band Alas [http://www.alasmusic.com] with Gustavo Moretto in keyboards and Alex Zuker in bass guitar, they made two records on the 70’s, "Buenos Aires Solo es Piedra" in 1974 and "Pinta Tu Aldea" which it wasn't released until 1983.Twenty years later, Alas released "Mimame Bandoneon" with Daniel Binelli and guest musician Pedro Aznar. It was come back to the 1970's tango fusion sound, but with an all acoustic orientation. Riganti could achieved his long time dream:

"To play tango with drums, incorporating drum beats to bandoneon phrases".

During the mid 1970’s Riganti joined several Argentine groups as an in demand drummer. In 1977 played with Raul Porchetto along with Pedro Aznar, Luis Borda and Santiago Fandiño, Also in 1977 was a band member of C.C.Cutaia with Carola and Carlos Cutaia. In 1979 he moved to Spain and joined along with Ciro Fogliatta and Gustavo Gregorio, legendary argentine songwriter Moris [http://es.wikipedia.org/wiki/Moris] . He is considered the “Father of Rock Nacional” term for argentine rock music sung in spanish.

80’s and 90’s activity

During the 80’s and 90’s he was engaged on many musical projects, playing in bands such as Piero con PREMA, Baranda ,El Monitor, Los Cuerpos Cavernosos, Diga 33, Siga Ese Auto and Guerschberg-Riganti-Sivori Jazz Trio.

New century and present work

Since 2001 Riganti plays with the Hector Starc Trio, with band leader-guitarist Hector Starc and bass guitar player Machi Madko. In 2003 Riganti reunited tango rock group Alas, with the original line up, Alex Zuker and Gustavo Moretto; adding Martin Moretto on guitar and Hector del Curto on bandoneon. Alas made a new recording release in 2003 called "Mimame Bandoneon". Alas is now based in New York, doing concerts in North and South America.

Work as a drum instructor

Carlos Riganti is well recognized as one of the best drum teachers worldwide. His alumni includes Sebastian Peyceré, Argentinian drummer of the year 2002, Jota Morelli [http://www.jotamorelli.com/] (Al Jarreau), Charly Alberti (Soda Stereo), Julio Figueroa [http://www.juliofigueroa.com/] (Michael Jackson), Daniel Piazzolla, Emmanuel Cauvet, Hernan Hecht, Guillermo D'Ambrosio and Leonardo de Cecco (Ataque 77) among others.

Riganti's drumming

He considers himself a "tango drummer", who uses the concept of a jazz drummer, to play bandoneon phrases and tango grooves".

Discography

*Oh perra vida de Beto. Materia Gris. EMI 1970

*Buenos Aires Solo es piedra. Alas. EMI 1974

*Pinta Tu Aldea. Alas. EMI 1983

*Volando de vida. Raul Porchetto. EMI 1977

*Rota tierra rota. CC Cutaia EMI 1978

*Mundo Moderno. Moris. Chapa Discos. Madrid 1980

*Piero con PREMA en vivo Teatro Fenix. 1982

*Diga 33. Diga 33 .1997

*Mimame Bandoneon. Alas. Sonoram 2003

External links

* http://www.alasmusic.com