Phoenix DJs
Jeff "El Jefe" Musgrove : One of the pioneers of the Argentine tango in Phoenix, Jeff is also the most busy DJ in town. He plays his music in Mijana and Estrellas milongas as well as in the most important yearly events like the December Holiday milonga . His selection covers all the "Salon" danceable pieces of orchestras from the '30s to the 50's (no tango nuevo, no electronic music) with a special focus in avoiding repetions of songs between milongas as well as in avoiding too popular "show" or "emotional" music. So Jeff will always surprise with his "out of top 40" music, approach that looks very well appreciated in the Phoenix community where his milongas are always the most popular. Jeff also likes djing under invitation outside Phoenix.
Steve "Doctor Milonga" Mumaw: Steve djs in the Sunday Social Milonga with constant popular success. All his milongas have been well followed for his exquisite selection of music. His focus is on the classic songs (no tango nuevo, no electronic music) but with some of the most known top 40's timely chosen tomake you jumping from the chair and dance. One of peculiaritis at his milongas is the display of a big sign with the name of the orchestra playing at any moment. Stev also make a point in dancing with every follower missing her partner as well as in breaking the ice with newcomers at their first milonga in town.
Paul "El Ruso Loco" Vladimirski: Paul djs under rotating scheme at Mijana milonga that is one the most popular milongas during working days. Paul continues the tradition of djing classic songs of the most famous orchestras (30's to 50's) with some presence of the top 40s as well some more late pieces. Music, again, is only "salon" danceable without any tango nuevo or electronic tango pieces. His nickname "Loco" by sure does not come from the music he plays that is full classic all the way.
Kevin Smith: Kevin too djs under rotating scheme at Mijana milonga as well as under invitation in other local events. His focus again is on classics (no tango nuevo or electronic pieces) with very few top 40's in his carnet. Kevin is comitted to continously looking for new songs from traditional offering to enrich his collection and offer new pieces to the community.
Robin Pettyjohn: "My believe is that the "perfect milonga" is the one "when everyone is dancing every tanda". I select the music on the basis of Musicality, Quality and Variety acknowledging that for most there is security in the well known music. A few would like more variety and like new (better quality sound) music. My prefeence is anyway to play mostly well known (there is so much of it) and a little of the others. The energy in a milonga starts at the door. It's directly related to the host and hostess. When you are excited to see them and mingle as well as dance with them through out the evening the energy level is always high. If I miss greeting them at the door I will find them later and welcome them. As bewteen traditional and new music, I like them all, but traditional is the foundation that enables you to play a little of the others. Very seldom I change plan depending on the audience but I tweak my music all the time to improve the tandas. I play different type of music in this order: easy beat to follow in the beginning, best in the middle, nuevo, new old, alternative late middle to early late. On instrument vs vocal I would say that when the vocal comes in later (last 2/3rds) I consider it an instrument. So if the music fits the tanda it gets played. Yes, I do use the famous 40 as well as remastered CDs (these when ever I can)".
Diane Bradshaw: Diane is the permanent dj at Tango Norte Milonga where sometimes guests djs are also invited. Diane is sinonimous of a good evening of tango music. For some reasons (Diane, tell us what is your secret...) she always find the good trade-off between the top 40s and some less known very danceable music. Result: at the end of the evening everybody is pleased, smiling and not in hurry to go home early. She is undoubtely one of the major resons for the success of the Tango Norte milonga event.
Nerissa :"I started playing tango music in 1998 at a weekly milonga that I also hosted
because of necessity. Back then it was harder to acquire the right kind,
variety of music and the correct information as to how to properly dj. After
a trip to Buenos Aires, I started taking the cue from more established djs
from out-of- state and initiated playing music in the traditional format of
using tandas and cortinas at our local milongas, working in collaboration
with my co-organizer. Later on, my inspirations were Natucci of El Beso and
Dany of Lo de Celia, well known djs in Buenos Aires. Dj-ing, like my
dancing, continues to be a growing process. I love the music from the Golden
Age and I try to educate myself on the different sounds and styles of the
orchestras, learning to identify them by listening. My goals when dj-ing
are to entice dancers on to the dance floor, hopefully give them
inspiration, elicit connection with their partners through the music and of
course, try to contribute in making the milonga experience as good as it can
be.
It is rare that a day goes by that I do not listen to tango music as I
consider it a part of my life eversince I started studying to dance tango in
1997. These days I dj on rotation at our monthly Milonga Las Estrellas, the
weekly Milonga Mijana and special events like our holiday milongas. I derive
great pleasure in doing so."
Tucson DJs
Jo Canalli : "I have been dancing Argentine Tango for five years and have only recently begun exercising my skills as a DJ (early 2009). My DJ philosophy is a product of my personal Tango journey as a follower and, recently, a leader. Although my beginnings came from Alternative/Nuevo I have evolved over time to develop a deep passion and love for the traditional Argentine Tango music from Argentina - the 1920's to the 1950's. Specifically, the Golden Age era.
My preference is to DJ 100% traditional concentrating on fully danceable music with a mix of the playful, the romantic, the high energy, the sweet and melodic, with maybe a touch of drama. I choose to follow the milonga format of TTVTTM. Depending on the community I can prepare four or three song tandas. I am open to requests but reserve the right to determine how that request will effect the dancers as a whole. Although I have my preferences and focus - the experience of the dancers as a group is paramount. I want my dancers leaving with a happy heart, a satisfied craving and an eagerness for more.
As a beginning DJ or, as I call myself, "an apprentice", I have been collecting and organizing my music, ensuring I have high-fidelity files, studying with and learning from other national and international DJs, and learning from the example set by popular DJs at festivals around the US. At this stage I prepare my playlist in advance with a selection of tandas waiting in the wings in case they are needed for a mood change. As my knowledge and experience grows over time I expect at some point to be able to put together tandas as the milonga evolves over the night.
In the end I love to dance tango to beautiful music that evokes emotions, the creativity of the dancers and honors the foundations of Argentine Tango. This is what I aim to offer the dancer when I DJ. I am always open to and welcome feedback and suggestions as I grow and learn."
Erik Fleming: NO INFO
Ron Terrazas: NO INFO
Derrik: NO INFO