Dario comments, “Kachariy means “to let go” in Quechua, an indigenous Andean language family, and is intended as a powerful message of liberation, an invitation to stop labeling genres, traditions, locations and cultures and start a conversation between all these. On this album I hope to inspire people to learn more about the endless wealth in South American music and to offer a music style that can be part of many worlds and music communities/scenes at the same time.” “Kachariy” is due out August 30th and will be available everywhere you stream music!
Dario Acosta Teich, raised in a musical family in northern Argentina, honed his skills at the conservatory in Tucumán and later as an Associate Professor of Folk Music at the University of La Plata in Buenos Aires. He earned a master’s in jazz performance from the Jerusalem Academy of Music and Dance, leading to a diverse career in jazz, composition, and collaboration with icons like William Parker and Mike Stern. Dario has performed at major festivals in 16 countries, produced numerous albums, and released five of his own, including the Mercedes Sosa Award -nominated and award-winning “Acostango” (2023), “FOLKLORE” (2022) and “Alien” (2021). He is a cultural ambassador whose rendition of “Libertango” became a symbol of Argentina’s cultural vitality, playing at embassies worldwide. He also leads educational programs with the U.S. Department of Educational and Cultural Affairs and African Regional Services, bridging cultures across Argentina, Mauritania, Guatemala, Angola and Honduras.
Dario Acosta Teich is known to create rich and profound textures through genre blurring and blends of jazz and Latin American music. With the debut single, and all through the new album, Dario’s deep connection to his cultural roots are on full display while pushing genre boundaries into new, uncharted territories. “Tierra Infinita,” says Dario, “bridges these musical cultures, inviting listeners on a journey of discovery and connection. My hope is that in listening to this music, no matter where we come from, listeners find common ground (Tierra) and a way to take flight (Infinita) to the beauty and power of timeless melody.” He is set to release his highly anticipated album, “Tierra Infinita,” on September 13, 2024.
Inspired by the many meanings of the word “Tierra” in Spanish – land, earth, homeland – Dario’s album delves into the connection between these concepts, he explains, “The music in “Tierra Infinita” is the connection between all of these meanings and also a conversation between generations. That’s the infinite part. Folk music doesn’t have a beginning or end; each generation and iteration of this music is adding something, moving the music forward and continuing its legacy.”
“Tierra Infinita’s” creation was marked by a whirlwind of inspiration, with most of the music being composed in just one week. Dario flew to Argentina, rehearsed with his ensemble for two days, performed a live show, and recorded the entire album live the following day at Doctor F Studio (Buenos Aires). Dario shares “Recording in Buenos Aires was essential for me. There’s a unique vibe in the city that fuels my creativity. The dynamics of working with Argentine musicians are different, and it’s incredibly inspiring to blend these experiences with those of musicians from other parts of the world.”
The album features some of the most recognized names in jazz and folk music, including Hernán Jacinto on piano, U.S.-based band members Fernando Huergo on bass and Yulia Musayelyan on flute who joined Dario in Argentina to record on the album. Pipi Piazzolla, one of Argentina’s top jazz drummers and the grandson of tango legend Astor Piazzolla, was a particular highlight for Dario. “Astor Piazzolla has always been one of my greatest influences, and working with his grandson was a profound honor,” Dario says.
The new album also offers esteemed guest appearances by Colombian singer-songwriter Marta Gómez, Argentine harmonica virtuoso Franco Luciani, and vocalists Eleanor Dubinsky and Timna Comedi. Guests were able to record at their home studios adding more “Tierra Infinita” connections to cities including NYC, Barcelona, Buenos Aires and Dario’s hometown, Tucumán. Mastering was handled by Alan Silverman (Norah Jones, Chaka Khan, Arturo O’Farrill).
Although the new album came together quickly, Dario mused on the songs for some time. He explains, “Every time I work on an album I try to tell a story by highlighting different folk genres and regions of Argentina as well as creating a different mood or feeling on each track. Leading up to my compositional process, I spend months collecting small ideas, recording them right away and then letting them go for a while. Then when I want to work on a new album I come back to these drafts and start to develop them into actual songs. I love the concept of albums, I see them as a whole story from beginning to end.” He continues, “Each track on the new album is an interpretation of an Argentine folk tradition that has been passed down to me, my community and generation. My compositions are my contribution to the evolution and transformation of this culture.”
The song “Pétalo Del Sur” exemplifies this process and sentiment, evolving from an instrumental track into a vocal piece with the talents of Colombian singer Marta Gómez (Latin Grammy and Latin Billboard Music Award winner) and Tucuman poet Dardo Solórzano. On “Low Tide” Dario plays with the traditional South American 6/8 – 3/4 groove adapted into a different time signature and inspired by the landscapes of Cape Cod, MA, where he spent much of 2020-2022. “Danza De La Tierra” (Earth Dance) was inspired by CHAYA, a folk genre from the province La Rioja. Dario adds, “Chaya is not only a music genre but also a ceremony in which people celebrate and honor mother earth by singing, dancing and thanking her for the fruits of her harvest and the blessing of the rain. For this piece I wanted to generate the feeling of celebration and gratitude and also the image of many people playing at the same time – chaos interacting with calm and beauty.” “Chacarera Infinita” is based on the chacarera groove, a folk genre from the North West of the country.
With “Milonga Hermética” Dario pays homage to the Brazilian avant-garde composer Hermeto Pascoal with an inspired Milonga. He comments, “Hermeto Pascoal is one of my biggest musical inspirations. He took Brazilian folk music to another level by using it as raw material or a platform for experimentation. The Argentine milonga and Brazilian choro are musical genres with roots in the 19th century that reflect a fusion of European and African influences in their respective countries. To write this piece I tried to imagine how Hermeto Pascoal would write a milonga.”
In support of the album, Dario will be performing a few select dates including album release shows at Morningside Music Studio in Arlington, MA on September 8, 2024, City Winery (Loft) in New York City on September 22, 2024 and The Kennedy Center’s Millennium Stage in Washington, DC on October 11th, 2024. He will also work with university students in the music department at Southern Illinois University Edwardsville (SIUE) in an educational and performance engagement October 18th, 2024. Dario’s release shows will showcase the dynamic interplay between composition and improvisation that defines Dario’s live performances. Special guests include the Argentinian drummer Franco Pinna, who is known for his self-created hybrid drum kit that features traditional Argentine percussion including a bombo and other indigenous drums. Legendary Brazilian cellist Jaques Morelenbaum (Jobim, Caetano Veloso) will join Dario for the City Winery show.
