Stephen Cuttriss
Stephen Cuttriss has been praised by the media as one of “Australia’s heavyweight tango musicians” and a bandoneon player who “ignites the sonic soundscapes of Argentina on this unique instrument. He explores the roots of both urban tango and rich rural folk traditions.
“I think the bandoneon is the quintessential instrument in tango. It’s the symbol of tango. It is a very expressive instrument almost in a kind of singing style and it allows for this very percussive, almost violent attack or way of playing.”
As a soloist Stephen has performed and recorded with some of Australia’s most sensational classical music figures including the Nexas Quartet and pianist-composer Daniel Rojas. As co-founder and creative director, Stephen also performers regularly throughout Australia with the Mendoza Tango Quartet.
At home in Victoria, he is a co-director and first bandoneonist of the Melbourne Tango Orchestra, and regularly performs other groups including Faro Negro. He has performed at numerous festivals across Australia including the Woodford Folk Festival, National Folk Festival, Lorne Festival of Performing Arts, MONA FOMA, Cygnet Folk Festival, Australasian World Music Expo, Queensland Music Festival, Snowy Mountains Music Festival, Illawarra Folk Festival, Caloundra Music Festival, Manifest Festival and Brisbane Festival.