Pianist Pablo Ziegler is known as one of Astor Piazzolla's foremost protégés. He began performing classical music in concert as a teen and became inspired by Dixieland jazz soon thereafter; he combined the two styles in his Pablo Ziegler Trio, which performed classical pieces with jazz arrangements. After his years with the trio, Ziegler was invited to play with Astor Piazzolla's New Tango Quintet in 1978, and performed and recorded with the group for over a decade. He also performed with international artists like Milva, an Italian singer with whom he collaborated on an homage to Maria Callas at the Arena de Verona, as well as American vibes player Gary Burton. Ziegler played with Piazzolla throughout the '80s, appearing on albums like New Tango and Astor Piazzolla: The Central Park Concert. After Piazzolla's death in 1992, Ziegler formed the Quintet for New Tango, performing internationally and releasing albums like 1999's self-titled work. He has also collaborated on albums with Emanuel Ax and the Orpheus Chamber Orchestra, both of which showcase Piazzolla's music. From 2000 on, Ziegler spent a great deal of time as a soloist with orchestras all over Europe, Asia, and South America -- especially in Argentina. He also recorded Quintet for New Tango for BMG in 2000, before issuing Bajo Cero: Duo for Tango with guitarist Quique Sinesi and guest bandoneonist Walter Castro on Enja two years later. In 2007 he released the live Tango & All That Jazz with a new quintet that also included vibraphonist Stefon Harris in a guest role. His orchestral appearances and tours kept him from recording again until 2013, when he signed with the Zoho label. His label debut, Amsterdam Meets New Tango, featured Ziegler as soloist with the Metropole Orkest. Two years later, another duet offering with guitarist Sinesi (with Castro again guesting) resulted in Desperate Dance for Enja's Yellowbird imprint. It was back to Zoho for 2016's Sax to Tango in collaboration with saxist Julio Botti, followed by the all-Piazzolla program Tango Nuevo in duo with American classical pianist Christopher O'Riley (host of the popular From the Top podcast) a year later. ~ Heather Phares