BIO

Born in Buenos Aires, Argentina, and based in New York City, Emiliano Messiez is a Latin Grammy-nominated composer, pianist, and music director. One of the most in-demand tango pianists in the U.S., he is known for his versatility across tango, jazz, classical, rock, and Latin American rhythms. He has performed worldwide at prestigious venues, including Lincoln Center, Merkin Hall, The Metropolitan Museum of Art, The Houston Opera Theater, and many more.

 

A prolific composer, Messiez has written music for several musicals, including Bordello, which is in development and has already received recognition from the National Alliance of Musical Theater with the 2020 Writers in Residence Award, the 2021 Eugene O’Neill Theater Center Festival selection, and The Broadway Bound Theater Festival. He also composed The Guava Tree, Casa Alfonsa, The City Dog and the Prairie Dog, and Coyote and the Counting Game, all commissioned by Creede Repertory Theatre in Colorado. Additionally, he is the orchestrator of Ghost in the Machine by Janine Robledo.

 

Messiez has released multiple albums as a performer, composer, and arranger. His discography includes Ahora, with the Romo-Agri-Messiez Trio, which was nominated for a Latin Grammy; Silencio, recorded with José Luis Infantino and awarded the UNESCO Prize for Music; El Charrúa, a tribute to Raúl Jaurena recorded with the Underground Tango Ensemble; and Típica Messiez, the upcoming album with his 10-piece tango orchestra. He also recorded original music for the shows Impact and Barolo Tango.

 

Throughout his career, Messiez has received significant accolades, including a Latin Grammy nomination, the UNESCO Prize for Music, and a New York City Arts Grant for his contributions to music and cultural projects. His talent has led him to perform and record with some of the world’s top musicians, including Paquito D’Rivera, Diego El Cigala, Dino Saluzzi, Concha Buika, Raúl Jaurena, Fernando Otero, Diego Urcola, Pedro Giraudo, John Patitucci, and Hugo Fattoruso.

 

Messiez is also the pianist for the Broadway and West End hit show Forever Tango, which has been seen by more than eight million people worldwide. Additionally, he has served as music director and pianist for Impact and Tango Buenos Aires, created by Mario & Daniel Celario, and is the creator of Barolo Tango. He has led numerous projects in the U.S. and Argentina, including Típica Messiez, a 10-piece tango orchestra; the Romo-Agri-Messiez Trio, a Latin Grammy-nominated tango trio; Cello & Piano, an original music duo with cellist Amy Kang; Tango Duet, with Bass-Baritone Federico De Michelis; and Tango Dueling Pianos, a unique tango piano duo with Pablo Estigarribia.

 

Messiez’s musical talent was evident from an early age—he began playing piano by ear at three. He studied at the National University of the Arts (UNA) in Buenos Aires, where he later became a faculty member, teaching Counterpoint, Harmony, and Music History. He also graduated from Berklee College of Music’s Escuela de Música Contemporánea (EMC) in Buenos Aires and received two scholarships to study with distinguished Spanish composer Antón García Abril at the University of Santiago de Compostela. With his rich background, vast experience, and continuous creative output, Emiliano Messiez remains a powerful force in tango and contemporary music worldwide.