Tango ... Milonga ... Habanera ... Waltz

Bringing you the atmosphere of a 1930's French salon, laden with flair, elegance and sauciness, Ruth Roshan and Tango Noir take you on a musical journey into the thrilling world of tango.

Originating in lower-class districts of Buenos Aires, Argentina in the late 1800's, tango is a fusion of various musical forms from Europe.  It was the music and dance of an underclass - the dispossessed and the outcast.  In the early 20th century, dancers and orchestras from Buenos Aires and Montevideo travelled to Europe, and the first tango craze took place in Paris, soon followed by London, Berlin and other capitals.

Ruth Roshan begand learning the mandolin at the age of five, and has played professionally since she was a teenager.  Whater the style or tempo, Ruth plays her mandolin with a great deal of musicality and style, showcasing the often underrated instrument's full potential.  She is also an accomplished singer with a gentle and beautiful voice.

Ruth is also known as one half of the duo Nougat, and along with guitarist Tania Ravbar she has regularly toured for Musica Viva, playing original pieces and fresh arrangements of music from around the world, particularly from Spanish and South American traditions.  Nougat's most recent double CD is entitled Illusions.  Ruth has also performed with international harpsichordist, Elizabeth Anderson, the Victorian Opera Chamber Orchestra and the Saba Iranian Orchestra.

Her love of tango began when she heard this style of music as a child, as her parents had both lived in France at times during childhood and had many original recordings.  She played Italian and French tangos with a mandolin chamber group, and when Ruth was introduced to live Argentinean tango in Paris at the age of 23, she was hooked.

Recently forming the Melbourne-based Tango Noir quintet, Ruth has gathered together an exceptional ensemble of award-winning musicians.  Their self-titled debut album has just been released, featuring fresh arrangements of classic pieces by Astor Piazzolla, contemporary tango adaptations of Leonard Cohen and Macy Gray, plus Ruth's own original compositions for the genre.