Poco de Adolfo – Adolfo Carabelli

Adolfo Carabelli, September 8, 1893 - January 25, 1947, a great musician in tango and jazz and one of its most underappreciated figures, died alone in 1947 in San Fernando, his place of birth. Despite his classical training in piano, composition, harmony, and counterpoint, Carabelli's encounter with jazz pianist Lipoff steered his career towards jazz. He founded the River Jazz Band and later his own orchestra, but recorded with modest sound quality. His rise to a leading musician of his time began in 1926 when Victor Records appointed him as artistic director, blending jazz with traditional music and enhancing the label's quality through improved recording capabilities.

Carabelli's orchestra leaned more towards jazz until the early 1930s, after which tango recordings became more frequent, and his ensemble established itself. His orchestra was known for both its jazz and tango performances, housing prominent musicians and singers. Among his notable tango creations were "Mi refugio" and "Cantando", as well as "Alma" and the waltz "Ñatita".

The recording of "Rodriguez Peña" with vocals is unique, as this piece was otherwise always recorded instrumentally.

Although he was not even mentioned on the shellac labels, Carabelli led the famous Orquesta Típica Victor, making it one of the leading tango orchestras of his time. After 1935, recordings became less frequent, and his last record was made in 1940, after which he dedicated himself to teaching, unfortunately accompanied by a severe personal crisis. Carabelli's death in 1947 marked the end of an era, with his contributions largely forgotten until a resurgence of interest in the mid-1990s.

With this compilation, we hope to set a worthy and lasting monument to the genius Carabelli.

(Parts of the text adapted from an original article by Héctor Ángel Benedetti, published on TodoTango.com)