El Bandoneón Mayor de Buenos Aires
Aníbal Troilo, also known as "Pichuco," was an Argentine bandoneon player, composer, and bandleader who is considered one of the most influential figures in the history of tango music. Born on July 11, 1914, in Buenos Aires, he picked up the bandoneon at the age of 10 and formed his first quintet during his teenage years. He quickly became known for his virtuosity on the instrument and his unique style of playing, making his official debut in the Vardaro-Pugliese sextet in 1930. Over the next few years, Aníbal Troilo joined the orchestra of Julio de Caro and later played with several other prominent tango groups, including those led by Juan "Pacho" Maglio, Juan d'Arienzo, and Juan Carlos Cobián. In 1937, he formed his own orchestra, which quickly became one of the most popular and respected in Argentina, showcasing the talent of tango musicians such as Orlando Goñi, Enrique "Kicho" Díaz, and Astor Piazzolla. The latter, who was a stable member of Troilo's orchestra between 1939 and 1944, continued to work closely with "Pichuco" as an arranger after leaving the group. Throughout his career, Aníbal Troilo recorded hundreds of tango songs such as *"Soy un Muchacho de la Guardia"* and *"Mi Castigo,"* and composed many of his own, including classics like *"La Última Curda,"* *"Barrio de Tango,"* and *"Sur."* He also collaborated with some of the greatest tango singers of all time, including Edmundo Rivero and Roberto Goyeneche. Even though Aníbal Troilo died on May 18, 1975, he is remembered as both a pioneering figure in tango music and one of the most important figures in the history of Argentine music.
