Argentinian composer, pianist and arranger Lalo Zanelli has just unveiled ‘Solar’, his fourth album under his own name, to mark its release (on CD and digitally) on 13 March 2026 via Buda Musique / Socadisc.
“I’ve called this album “Solar“, after one of the tracks. “Solar“, like hope, the light that always returns, guiding us through life. I’d like to dedicate it to that, to the hope of a better world. The album is a collection of microcosms, written over the last four or five years. These pieces are true to my world, where I blend the music that is dear to me, that inspires me naturally and that has accompanied me throughout these years.
Although I was steeped in the music of my homeland, tango and Argentine folk, as a pre-teen musician in Buenos Aires, I immersed myself in rock. Upon my arrival in Paris in 1983, I discovered jazz, which I have never strayed from since. Then, I rediscovered tango, ‘in Paris!’, Argentine folk music, and the music and rhythms of the world. At the same time, my studies immersed me in orchestral composition for film music.
My experiences as a pianist, arranger and composer have been enriching, working with countless artists from such diverse backgrounds as Gotan Project, François Beranger, Daniel Melingo, Alfredo Arias… and many others in the world of jazz. All these experiences are reflected in this album, which I describe as binary: between action and contemplation, between rage and introspection, between ‘clouds and sunshine’, as illustrated on the cover.
I was able to create this music thanks to the participation of some of my old musician friends, whom I call La Orquesta Modulable la Buena Unión, and whom I have the honour of introducing: (Magic) Malik Mezzadri, Minino Garay, Didier Ithursarry, Simon Drappier, Javier Estrella, Leandro Guffanti, Diego Lipy, Noé Codjia and Fabrizio Colombo. But also thanks to the participation of my two daughters, Maëla and Margo Zanelli.”
Lalo Zanelli
On this new album, Lalo Zanelli (piano, vocals, percussion) is accompanied by the following musicians:
Didier Ithursarry – accordion
Diego Lipy – classical guitar, electric guitar
Fabrizio Colombo – bandoneon
Javier Estrella – drums, percussion
Leandro Guffanti – tenor and soprano saxophone
Noé Codjia – trumpet
Simon Drappier – double bass, electric bass
Malik Mezzadri – flute
Minino Garay – drums, percussion
Margo Zanelli – vocals, pandeiro
Maëla Zanelli – vocals
Biography of Lalo Zanelli :
A composer, pianist and arranger, Lalo Zanelli was born in Buenos Aires in 1959 and has lived in France since 1983.
In Buenos Aires, he taught himself to play the guitar at a very early age. For his first concerts at the age of 13, he immersed himself in rock music in its various forms. Later, he studied piano and composition with Luis Maria Corallini.
In Paris, he discovered jazz and ‘rediscovered’ tango. He studied under Gustavo Beytelman, Bernard Maury and François Jeanneau… From 1984 to 1986, he attended the Film Music Composition course led by Laurent Petit Girard at the École Normale de Musique, where he was unanimously awarded First Prize.
He divides his time between performing and composing.
Lalo Zanelli formed the septet, then the OMBÚ quintet in 1993, a vehicle for his own unique and original musical language through which his many influences are expressed; with them he recorded three albums.
His fourth solo album, ‘Solar’, has just been released by Buda Musique. This time, he has surrounded himself with some of his old musician friends to form a unique ensemble offering a more varied sound palette: La Orquesta Modulable la Buena Unión.
His compositions have been re-recorded and performed by various artists such as François Beranger, Minino Garay, Daniel Mille, Fabrice Allemand, Pierre Bertrand, Mandy Lerouge, Martin Bruhn, Fernando Fiszbein…
He is currently working on orchestrations and arrangements of his own works for a nine-piece chamber orchestra, following a commission from the Arsonic Auditorium and Creation Centre in Mons, Belgium. This is a new work intended for a one-off performance scheduled for 7 July 2026.
He has collaborated on projects with artists from a variety of fields:
Pianist and arranger (2001–2011) for the Gotan Project, with whom he toured the world, performing at the most prestigious festivals and concert halls (including the Hollywood Bowl in Los Angeles and the Sydney Opera House).
He was the pianist, arranger and composer for François Beranger, with whom he recorded his last three albums (1996–2003).
He has worked as a pianist, composer and arranger with Minino Garay on several albums, Tryö (Ce que l’on sème), and in 2018 Mandy Lerouge entrusted him with the arrangements and piano for ‘La Madrugada’; he has also worked with Daniel Melingo on his European tours, as well as Francis Lalanne, Lulendo and Raul Paz…
Lalo Zanelli is also a film composer: “Ma place au soleil” (2007) starring André Dussollier, Nicole Garcia and Jacques Dutronc; “Cherche fiancé tout frais payé” (2008) starring Claudia Lamy, Bruno Salomone and Claudia Cardinale.
He has worked in theatre for Alfredo Arias (“Mortadela”, Molière Award 1993, “Fous de Folies” at the Folies Bergères in 1995 and “Le Faust Argentin”, 1996…) and has composed numerous scores for plays and short films.
