Richard Scofano

A master of the bandoneón, Richard Scofano was born in Paso de los Libres, Argentina, and is the descendant of three generations of bandoneónists. Beyond his renowned virtuosity, musicality, and sensibility, Scofano is also an accomplished composer (proponent of the Nuevo Chamamé), arranger, and musical director. He began his studies at age 5, with his father, Ricardo Scofano, himself a landmark in the Argentine musical genre of the Chamamé. Richard grew up in the center of the folk traditions and culture of Northeast Argentina in a home constantly filled with musicians and singers and, nowadays, his artistry is a testimony to his mastering of the genre, to his musical craft, and to his ability to combine both through an exceptional creative genius. Scofano always nurtured interest for the music of neighboring Brazil and is passionate about the study of European classical traditions. With more than thirty years of professional work, Scofano has taken his music literally throughout the world and is held in high esteem by fellow musicians and audiences alike. Richard has worked as a performer, composer, arranger, and music director for decades. He has played throughout South America, North America, Europe, Japan, China, and Australia. In 2014/15, he toured China as director of the show “Identidad,” which included some of his music in the program. In 2015, he composed the music for Carmen de Buenos Aires, an adaptation of the script of the opera Carmen in a tango/flamenco version, that premiered in Boston in November of that year. Also in 2015, he created a duo with pianist Alfredo Minetti, and they toured extensively throughout the U.S. and Puerto Rico, as well as Argentina and Brazil. In October 2016, he premiered his Iberá (concerto for bandoneón and orchestra) with the Oistrakh Symphony of Chicago under the direction of Mina Zikri. This concerto has been performed in the U.S. and Argentina (including at the prestigious Sala Ballena Azul at the CCK in Buenos Aires), as well as in Brazil. The year 2016 also marked the release of his CD Estaciones with his original compositions, interpreted by his duo with Minetti. In this recording, Scofano debuted his original contribution to his native genre, the “Nuevo Chamamé.” In 2017, he was invited to play a concert of his music by the Jacobs School of Music in Bloomington, Indiana. In 2018, he was invited by Yamandú Costa to perform with him at the Guitar Salon International in Santa Monica, California. He performed again with Yamandú in 2019 in New York at the Sony Hall Concert; in Montreal, Canada, at the Montreal Jazz Festival; and at the Vail Jazz Festival, in Vail, Colorado. In 2020, he received a commission by the River Oaks Chamber Orchestra (ROCO) and wrote a symphonic poem entitled La Tierra Sin Mal (for bandoneón and orchestra), inspired by a Guarani legend, which he premiered with ROCO in September of that same year. He’s done numerous TV and radio appearances, interviews, and shows. His music has been featured in radio, including on Performance Today, conducted by Fred Child. He has participated as producer, arranger, and/or performer on many recordings, and this year he will be the musical director and bandoneónist of an upcoming production of Astor Piazzolla’s María de Buenos Aires in four Brazilian cities.