Ángel Félix Danesi

Ángel Félix Danesi (16 March 1898 – 12 January 1980) was an Argentine bandoneonist, composer, and orchestra director who made significant contributions to tango music. Born in Buenos Aires to Italian immigrant Mariano Danesi and Matilde Rosas Sevelín, he debuted professionally in 1916 at the historic Café Iglesias, performing in a trio with guitarists including Rafael Canaro. Danesi spent several formative years as a member of Francisco Canaro’s acclaimed orchestra before establishing his own ensemble, which performed in cabarets and radio stations throughout Buenos Aires. His compositional career began in 1918 with “Un consejo” and encompassed numerous tangos including “Corrientes” (lyrics by Jorge Curi) and “Mamita (Flor de angustia)” (lyrics by Francisco Bohigas), both famously recorded by Carlos Gardel. Additional notable compositions include “Agua dulce,” “Derrotado” (lyrics by Celedonio Flores, performed by Ignacio Corsini), “Arlequín,” and “La alondra.” Danesi’s legacy rests on his role as both a skilled bandoneón player and a prolific composer whose works were recorded by leading tango vocalists of the golden age, establishing him as a significant figure in the classical tango tradition.

Sources note: Death date discrepancy: todotango.com cites 17 January 1980, while Spanish Wikipedia and other sources give 12 January 1980.