José Colangelo

José Colangelo was a tango pianist whose career ran from radio orchestras in the 1950s, through accompanying singers and leading groups, to a career recital in 2023 ^[1][2]. Tangopedia staff records give his birth date as 22 October 1940 ^[3]. The biographical sources write his surname with an accent, as Colángelo ^[1][2].

His early work included debuts on Radio Argentina in 1955 with Alberto Dávila's orchestra and on Radio Splendid in 1957 with Ángel Genta's orchestra ^[1]. From 1962 he was pianist for Julio Sosa and Leopoldo Federico, and in 1968 he joined Aníbal Troilo, replacing Osvaldo Berlingieri ^[1]. He later formed a quartet with Néstor Marconi and, in 1979, his first orchestra, with Lisandro Adrover and Hugo Baralis ^[1].

History

Early radio work (1955–1959)

Colangelo debuted on Radio Argentina in 1955 with Alberto Dávila's orchestra ^[1]. In 1957 he debuted on Radio Splendid with Ángel Genta's orchestra ^[1]. In 1959 he played with Ángel Domínguez on Radio Splendid and at the cabaret El Avión in La Boca ^[1].

With Julio Sosa and Leopoldo Federico (1962–1964)

From 1962 Colangelo was pianist for Julio Sosa and Leopoldo Federico ^[1]. He held the post until Sosa's death in 1964 ^[1].

With Aníbal Troilo (1968–1973)

On 8 November 1968 Colangelo debuted with Aníbal Troilo at Relieve, replacing the pianist Osvaldo Berlingieri ^[1]. In 1971 he played in New York and Washington with Troilo's quartet ^[1]. In 1972 he played the Teatro Colón with Troilo's orchestra ^[1]. In 1973 he appeared with Troilo's orchestra in the film Esta es mi Argentina ^[1].

Own quartet and orchestra (1971 onward)

In 1971, while still working with Troilo, Colangelo formed his own quartet with Néstor Marconi ^[1]. In 1979 he formed his first orchestra, with Lisandro Adrover and Hugo Baralis ^[1].

Later career

In 1986 Colangelo released the album Colángelo en Tokio on Polydor ^[2]. In 2023 he gave a career recital in the Trayectorias series at the Centro Cultural Kirchner ^[2].

Musicians and collaborators

Bandleaders and singers Colangelo worked with, as listed in the sources, include ^[1]:

Néstor Marconi was his partner in the quartet formed in 1971 ^[1]. Lisandro Adrover and Hugo Baralis were part of his first orchestra in 1979 ^[1].

Recordings

The first album by Colangelo's quartet, Trasnoche, was issued on Tonodisc in 1972 ^[1]. Colángelo en Tokio was released on Polydor in 1986 ^[2]. With Troilo's orchestra he appeared in the 1973 film Esta es mi Argentina ^[1].