Mario Melfi

Mario Melfi led the orchestra that bore his name; a calendar listing links him to it in 1940 ^[4]. According to a Tangopedia staff record, he was born on 5 August 1905 ^[5].

His recorded career began abroad. On 3 August 1923 he left for Spain with Los de la Raza and learned the bandoneon from Bachicha during the journey ^[1]. Eduardo Bianco then called him to Paris, where he played in the Bianco-Bachicha orchestra ^[1]. A biography of Bianco places Melfi on bandoneon in Bianco's orchestra in 1928 ^[2].

Melfi wrote the tango Remembranza with Mario Battistella in 1934 ^[3]. He died in Arcachon on 21 September 1970 ^[6].

History

Melfi's departure for Spain is dated 3 August 1923. He travelled with the group Los de la Raza, and he learned the bandoneon from Bachicha while on the way ^[1].

A biography dates the next stage to 1924. That year Eduardo Bianco called Melfi to Paris, where he joined the Bianco-Bachicha orchestra ^[1]. A separate biography of Eduardo Bianco lists Melfi as a bandoneon player in Bianco's orchestra in 1928 ^[2].

Melfi later led an orchestra under his own name. A calendar listing associates his leadership of this orchestra with 1940 ^[4]. The dossier gives no further details about this ensemble's formation, membership or activity.

Melfi died in Arcachon on 21 September 1970 ^[6].

Repertoire

Melfi is credited with writing Remembranza together with Mario Battistella, dated 1934 ^[3].