Sadly, French guitarist and composer Roland Dyens passed away on October 29th. One of the greatest classical guitarists of his generation, he was a teacher, a prolific composer and a phenomenal performer with a sly, understated sense of humor and wonderful ability to improvise.

His arrangements of jazz standards like Night in Tunisia, Round Midnight and Django’s Nuages have become standards in their own right for classical guitarists around the world. He will be missed, his music will live on. Roland repose en paix.

Tango en Skaï, written by Roland Dyens. Apparently Skaï is a French slang term for imitation leather, and here references the gauchos of Argentina and Southern Brazil who are known for their distinctive leather outfits. Hence Tango en Skaï is a humorous, gaudy take on the tango.