La Cocina de Tango, a new album showcasing the inventiveness of the Argentine tango, brings together newly arranged traditional tango pieces, music by Astor Piazzolla, a contemporary work by Finnish composer Sami Pirttilahti, and original compositions by bandoneonist and composer Alex Roitman. Grounded in tango tradition while exploring new creative paths, the album captures the collaborative spirit shaping tango in the twenty-first century. Each tango piece on this album has its own character, with Alex Roitman’s new compositions standing out especially.

The title honors Tango Kitchen, a building designed and built for the Stowe Tango Music Festival. From 2017 to 2023, it served as a rehearsal, practice, and gathering space for musicians such as Alex Roitman, Mayu Funaba, and Sami Pirttilahti. Recorded on the festival grounds, the album continued to take shape in Tango Kitchen between sessions, making the space an active part of the creative process.

That influence is heard throughout the recording, from the title itself to original pieces such as Ruta montañosa and Panadera, inspired by the people, places, and experiences of the Stowe Tango Music Festival community. La Cocina de Tango also suggests the idea of “cooking” tango music—mixing tradition, innovation, collaboration, and personal expression to create something new.

Ultimately, La Cocina de Tango captures the vibrancy of an art form being played with nuance and sensitivity by four outstanding musicians  who play as one. The album reminds the listener of the allure of the tango, and makes a strong case for its continued popularity, now and evermore.