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Orchestra

Carel Kraayenhof

Carel Kraayenhof is a tango musician and bandleader, born on 15 August 1958, who formed his first tango group, Tango Cuatro, in 1985 and later founded Sexteto Canyengue, which Osvaldo Pugliese invited to Buenos Aires [1][4]. His later activity included a duo with pianist Juan Pablo Dobal, the Kraayenhof Tango Ensemble, and Edison awards and a Dutch royal honour [1][2].

Carel Kraayenhof was born on 15 August 1958 [4]. His first tango group, Tango Cuatro, was formed in 1985 [1]. Astor Piazzolla later invited him to New York for the Broadway show Tango Apasionado, although sources differ on the year of this invitation [1][2].

In 1988 Kraayenhof founded Sexteto Canyengue, which Osvaldo Pugliese invited to Buenos Aires to play alongside his orchestra [1]. The sextet toured with Pugliese in 1990 and won the Gouden Notekraker in 1993 [1]. In 1993 Kraayenhof also started the Argentine tango course at the Rotterdam Conservatory [1].

His later work included a performance of Adiós Nonino at a royal wedding blessing in the Nieuwe Kerk, Amsterdam, in 2002, and the formation in 2011 of a duo with pianist Juan Pablo Dobal and of the Kraayenhof Tango Ensemble [1][2]. His honours include the Edison audience prize for Tango Royal in 2003, appointment as Officer of the Order of Orange-Nassau in 2012 and the Edison oeuvre award in 2018 [2].

History

Kraayenhof's first tango group, Tango Cuatro, was formed in 1985 [1]. His official biography states that Astor Piazzolla invited him to New York in 1987 for the Broadway show Tango Apasionado [1]. The same claim notes that Wikipedia dates the invitation to 1986, so sources differ on the year [1][2].

In 1988 Kraayenhof founded Sexteto Canyengue [1]. In the same year Osvaldo Pugliese invited the sextet to Buenos Aires to play alongside his orchestra [1]. In 1990 Sexteto Canyengue toured with Pugliese [1].

In 1993 Kraayenhof started the Argentine tango course at the Rotterdam Conservatory [1]. That year Sexteto Canyengue won the Gouden Notekraker [1].

Later career

On 2 February 2002 Kraayenhof played Adiós Nonino at the royal wedding blessing in the Nieuwe Kerk in Amsterdam [2]. In 2002 he also took part in a Piazzolla homage with Sexteto Mayor at the Teatro Colón [2].

In 2011 Kraayenhof formed a duo with pianist Juan Pablo Dobal and also formed the Kraayenhof Tango Ensemble [1].

For 2026 his official agenda lists an autumn tour of Dutch theatres with Leoni Jansen, alongside his own programmes [3].

Honours

Kraayenhof's work received several awards and honours [1][2]:

  • 1993: Sexteto Canyengue won the Gouden Notekraker [1].
  • 2003: Tango Royal won the Edison audience prize [2].
  • 9 July 2012: Kraayenhof was made Officer of the Order of Orange-Nassau [2].
  • 2018: Kraayenhof received the Edison oeuvre award [2].

References

How Tangopedia works

  1. 1.Biography Carel Kraayenhof · carelkraayenhof.nl
  2. 2.Carel Kraayenhof · nl.wikipedia.org
  3. 3.Agenda · carelkraayenhof.nl
  4. 4.Tangopedia staff · tangopedia.app

Tours

  1. 1990Sexteto Canyengue tours with Osvaldo Pugliese.†

    Part of Osvaldo Pugliese's 1989 European tour

  2. 2026Autumn tour of Dutch theatres with Leoni Jansen and his own programmes.†

    Part of Carel Kraayenhof's 2026 autumn tour of Dutch theatres

What we don't know yet2 of 6 known

When its leader was born, recordings, its singers, a picture.

Data: recordings, facts and sources

Also: its leader, Carel Kraayenhof

Notes8

Forms his first tango group, Tango Cuatro.1985Single source

Invited by Astor Piazzolla to New York for the Broadway show Tango Apasionado (Wikipedia dates this to 1986).1987Single source

Founds Sexteto Canyengue; Osvaldo Pugliese invites it to Buenos Aires to play alongside his orchestra.1988Single source

Sexteto Canyengue tours with Osvaldo Pugliese.1990Single source

Starts the Argentine tango course at the Rotterdam Conservatory; Sexteto Canyengue wins the Gouden Notekraker.1993Single source

Plays Adiós Nonino at the royal wedding blessing in the Nieuwe Kerk, Amsterdam, on 2 February; Piazzolla homage with Sexteto Mayor at the Teatro Colón.Feb 2, 2002Single source

Forms a duo with pianist Juan Pablo Dobal and the Kraayenhof Tango Ensemble.2011Single source

Autumn tour of Dutch theatres with Leoni Jansen and his own programmes.2026Single source

Won3

Won Tango Royal wins the Edison audience prize.2003Single source

Won Made Officer of the Order of Orange-Nassau on 9 July.Jul 9, 2012Single source

Won Receives the Edison oeuvre award.2018Single source

Leader born1

Its leader was born on 1958-08-15Single source

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