Festival Musicians

Típica Messiez is a 10-piece Tango Orchestra comprised of renowned tango musicians. Under the musical direction of its founder and pianist, Emiliano Messiez, Típica Messiez plays both original and classic tango arrangements.

The Típica Messiez launched at the Philadelphia Tango Festival in 2019 to a sold-out audience, and has since played at every festival. In 2023, the Philadelphia Tango Festival's Bochinche Records produced the first album by Típica Messiez, Psicoporteño, which has been extremely well-received. Professional dancers worldwide have chosen to perform its music, since its release in June 2023:

Born in Buenos Aires, Argentina, Mariano Castro has been based in Romania since 2013. A multifaceted musician—pianist, guitarist, composer, and orchestrator—he has completed more than 40 international tours across the United States, Canada, Brazil, Ecuador, Colombia, Italy, Switzerland, Germany, Romania, France, Russia, Portugal, Poland, Spain, Denmark, Austria, Bulgaria, the Netherlands, Sweden, the Czech Republic, Lithuania, and Greece. He performs in a wide range of formats, from solo piano and chamber ensembles to full symphonic concerts.

In 2010, he was nominated for the Latin Grammy Awards together with his colleagues from the internationally acclaimed neo-tango band Narcotango. In 2014, he was recognized as an “Outstanding Cultural Personality” by the Congress of Buenos Aires, and in 2022 he was named “Country Brand Ambassador” in Romania by the Argentine government for his role in promoting national identity abroad.

In recent years, he has launched several projects as pianist and symphonic orchestrator, performing with philharmonic orchestras in Romania, Switzerland, the Czech Republic, Germany, and Lithuania. His symphonic productions include Symphonic Tango, Piazzolla: 100 Years, Nat King Cole Classic Jazz, Argentinissimo, Fits Sings Piaf, among others. He also continues to appear across Europe and the Americas as a solo pianist and in various chamber music ensembles.

Juan and Patricio met on stage at the Milonga del Moran in 2010 in Buenos Aires.Patricio had come to play with his quintet "Malo Conocido" and Juan went to sing as a guest with Hernán "Cucuza" Castiello.

Shortly afterwards they met again at the Club Atlético Fernández Fierro and decided to meet with the excuse of rehearsing some tangos, especially the tango "Marión" with which Patricio was very enthusiastic.

From that meeting the Duo Villarreal Crom was born and they started a long journey performing in Festivals, Milongas and concert halls of Buenos Aires and different countries of South America and Europe, sharing stages with great musicians and dancers such as Chino Laborde & Dipi Kvitko, Osvaldo Peredo, Pablo Rodriguez & Corina Herrera, Rodrigo Fonti & Majo Martirena, Hernán "Cucuza" Castiello and others.

Juan Villarreal and Patricio Crom released in 2012 their first album "De corte romántico" in which they include versions of some of the most romantic tangos and waltzes recorded by the great orchestras in the golden age.

In 2015 they released a second album called "Cinco Otoños" with milonguero classics and their own compositions.

In 2019 they presented "En la luna de Valencia", an album that was recorded in Valencia, Spain with guest artists such as Maestro Raúl Kiokio and the singers Nelson Scarlatto and Gavión.

In 2022, they presented "D'arienzo en guitarras," an album dedicated to the King of Compás, Juan D'arienzo and with stellar guests such as the singer Pablo Ramos, son of Osvaldo Ramos (the last great singer of D'arienzo), Trio Malamado and the guitarist Guido Iacopetti.

The duo's repertoire also includes several milonguero classics such as Danzarín, El Llorón, Te vas milonga, A la Guardia Nueva, Milonga de mis amores, Romance de barrio, Flor de Lino and other hits of Argentine Tango.

Born in Buenos Aires, Argentina, and based in NYC, Latin Grammy-nominated pianist and composer Emiliano Messiez has become one of the most in-demand tango pianists in the United States. He has played at some of the most notable music venues in the country, including Lincoln Center, and has performed with some of the world’s top musicians, such as Paquito de Rivera, Dino Saluzzi, John Patitucci, and Concha Buika. With Jose Luis Infantino, he recorded the album Silencio, which received a UNESCO Prize for music.

With a versatile and unique style, Emiliano performs in a wide range of genres, from classical music and jazz to rock and Latin American rhythms. In the worldwide tango community, Emiliano is recognized as one of the most brilliant tango pianists and composers of our time. His playing is absolutely infectious and highly danceable. Whether performing as a soloist, in small group formations (duo/trio/quartet), or directing his orchestra, Típica Messiez, Emiliano’s music has an undeniable energy that keeps audiences captivated.

Emiliano has released several albums, including Psicoporteño with his orchestra Típica Messiez (produced by the Philadelphia Tango Festival), Ahora with the Romo-Agri-Messiez Tango Trio (nominated for Best Tango Album at the 2023 Latin Grammy Awards), and the single Cuando Será. He has also recorded music for young audiences, including the musicals The Guava Tree and Casa Alfonsa. In 2020, Emiliano released the CD El Charrúa with the Underground Tango Ensemble, a tribute to his friend and Latin Grammy-winning bandoneonist Raúl Jaurena.

Emiliano graduated from the National University of the Arts in Buenos Aires, where he later joined the faculty, teaching in the Department of Composition. He also graduated from Berklee College of Music’s Escuela de Música Contemporánea in Buenos Aires.

Emiliano is the pianist for the hit show Forever Tango, which has been seen by over eight million people worldwide, including on Broadway and the West End in London. He also created and performs Tango Dueling Pianos, a unique concept featuring two tango pianists, with Latin Grammy winner Pablo Estigarribia.

Currently, Emiliano is composing the music for a new musical called Bordello, where he explores a wide palette of sounds ranging from tango, klezmer, and jazz to contemporary musical theatre. Set in early 1900s Buenos Aires, the musical has already received recognition from NAMT (National Alliance for Musical Theatre), the Eugene O’Neill Theater Festival, and Broadway Bound.

For more information, please visit www.emilianomessiez.com.