JP Jofre

Argentine musician-composer-arranger JP Jofre is considered to be the premier bandoneónista of the modern age whose virtuosity astonishes critics as well as his growing legion of fans. He has been hailed as one of today’s leading artists by Lincoln Center and praised by The New York Times for his “soulful, artful playing” of the bandoneón. When Opera Hispánica presented a production of Astor Piazzolla's groundbreaking tango-opera Maria de Buenos Aires, The Times reported the applause “was loudest for the bandoneónist J.P. Jofre, who took his bow last.” 

On the heels of sold-out concerts at Lincoln Center and the Celebrity Series of Boston, where he received standing ovations, Jofre released his debut CD Hard Tango on June 26, 2013. Produced by Daniel Freiberg and Gustavo Szulansky, the CD features 11-time Grammy winner Paquito D’Rivera, who recorded Jofre’s original composition “Primavera” as well as another Grammy winner, Fernando Otero. All but three of the arrangements on the release are composed by Jofre.

A recipient of the National Prize of the Arts Grant in Argentina, JP Jofre has brought his exciting contemporary tango to some of the most important venues and festivals worldwide, including the Taiwan National Theatre, Italy’s Umbria Jazz Festival, Sudtirol Jazz Festival and Celebrity Series of Boston, among others. In addition to performing with the legendary Paquito D’Rivera, Jofre has performed with celebrated musicians of the Sacramento Philharmonic Orchestra, Baltimore Symphony Orchestra, Nina Beilina, Dartmouth Wind Symphony Orchestra, Festival of the Americas Symphony Orchestra, Fernando Otero Quintet, Westchester Jazz Orchestra, Mendoza National Symphony Orchestra and Frost Studio Jazz Band.

Juan Pablo Jofre began playing percussion and guitar at the age of 14. Years later he decided to join the Escuela de Musica de la Universidad Nacional de San Juan, Argentina, where he studied drums, guitar, piano, voice and composition before eventually deciding to dedicate himself to the bandoneón. In 2003, Jofre gave his first concert as an arranger and soloist at the First International Festival of Chamber Music for which he arranged pieces for 12 cellos and a bandoneón. In 2004, he took private classes with Martin Ferres and one year later he auditioned under bandoneón master Daniel Binelli, one of the world’s most sought after bandoneónistas and composers. At Binnelli’s recommendation, Jofre was invited to study under Julio Pane, world-renowned educator and former bandoneónista for the legendary Astor Piazzolla Sextet. At the 2005 Clasura Concert of the Master Class, given by Ingrid Zur and George Heyer in San Juan, Jofre performed solo works of Bach and Piazzolla.

After winning the National Prize of the Arts Grant, Jofre traveled to Florence, Italy to perform as a soloist and arranger. In 2006, he toured Spain with the Mendocino Tango Sextet, giving both solo and group performances at the International Tango Festival of Granada and the International Tango Festival of Alméria. At the inauguration ceremony for the Granada School for the Bandoneón, he performed with bandoneón master Rodolfo Montironi. In 2008, Jofre performed alongside the Lombard Twins and virtuoso violinist Nick Danieson on Rosie O’ Donnell Live on NBC. The following year, Jofre started writing music for his New Tango Quintet and performed at the ESSE Jazz Festival. In 2010, JP Jofre’s Quintet had its first official concert at the legendary Joe’s Pub in New York City, sharing the stage with the composer and violist Ljova Zhurbin and the Kontraband.

In 2011, Jofre appeared at the Latin Grammy Ceremony in Las Vegas alongside Aida Cuevas and gave a bandoneón workshop at the Las Vegas University with the Uli Geissendoerfer Ensemble. Later that year he performed debut compositions for string orchestra and chamber ensembles in Japan, Taiwan, Argentina and Italy. More information: www.jofremusic.com.