Bio
Mercedes
Vocals
Claudio
Violin
Sebastián
Piano
Savva
Bandoneon
Diego
Double Bass
Ocho Gambas is a quintet that brings the Golden Age of Tango Argentino into the present, paying tribute to the great orchestras of Canaro, Biagi, Tanturi, Caló, Laurenz, Fresedo, Di Sarli, D'Arienzo, among others. With a unique and contemporary sound, yet without losing the essence of true Tango Argentino, we offer an authentic, emotional, and deeply connected interpretation rooted in the milonguera tradition.
Our ensemble consists of Violin, Bandoneon, Piano, Double Bass, and Female Vocals. Each of us has a strong individual background in tango, and Ocho Gambas is the natural result of our paths crossing, driven by a shared desire to revive and reinterpret the legacy of the great orchestras.
With a unique perspective, we reinterpret traditional tango from a present-day viewpoint, placing the Female Vocals at the heart of our sound. Unlike the original versions from the 1930s and 1940s—largely shaped by male voices—we revisit tango classics with a contemporary sensitivity, preserving their essence while renewing their expression. These songs come to life once again, infused with a freshness that speaks to today.
For us, performing Tango Argentino is like speaking a language. It has its own accent, articulation, breath, melody, and rhythm. One can learn to speak a language, but speaking it naturally, profoundly, and with soul requires a deeper commitment. That is the path we follow in each of our performances.
The Head of the Ensemble
The director and violinist of the group, Claudio Mayorga, holds a Degree in Musical Arts with a specialization in Violin from the Universidad Nacional de las Artes (Argentina), where he also earned a diploma in composition. He has been an active part of the young tango scene in Buenos Aires since 2009. He was a founding member and collaborator of several traditional tango orchestras (La Floresta, Juan D'Arienzo, La Caterva, Manzana de las Luces), with which he explored the most representative styles of the genre, performing at iconic milongas such as La Catedral del Tango, Salón Canning, La Viruta, Marabú, La Floreal, and Parakultural.
In addition to his work as a violinist, Claudio is a composer, arranger, and transcriber. He has carried out transcriptions and adaptations of original arrangements from the Golden Age of Tango, whose sheet music had never been published.
While we prepare new audiovisual material for Ocho Gambas, we are pleased to share some video recordings from previous projects Claudio has participated in, as part of his journey through the tango scene in Buenos Aires.
Orquesta Típica Manzana de las Luces
2018 - 2021
Buenos Aires, Argentina
Orquesta Típica
La Floresta
2010 - 2014
Buenos Aires, Argentina
Orquesta
Juan D'Arienzo
2012
Buenos Aires, Argentina