Astor Pantaleón Piazzolla, born on March 11, 1921, in Mar del Plata, Argentina, was an influential Argentine composer, bandoneon player, and arranger known for revolutionizing the traditional tango into a new style called "nuevo tango." This innovative genre incorporated elements from jazz and classical music, distinguishing Piazzolla as a transformative figure in the world of tango music.

Piazzolla spent much of his childhood in New York City, where he was exposed to a diverse array of musical influences, including jazz, classical music, and the tango records his father played. He began playing the bandoneon at a young age and quickly rose to prominence as a child prodigy. Despite a congenital malformation of his right foot, which resulted in a limp, Piazzolla developed a resilient and determined character that would later help him face criticism from traditionalists opposed to his musical innovations.

In 1937, Piazzolla returned to Argentina, where he initially played with various tango orchestras. He soon joined the orchestra of the renowned bandoneonist Aníbal Troilo, but found the traditional tango scene unsatisfying. Encouraged by the pianist Arthur Rubinstein, Piazzolla studied with the Argentine composer Alberto Ginastera and began exploring modernist classical music. His studies culminated in a grant to study in Paris with the esteemed French music teacher Nadia Boulanger, who encouraged him to embrace his unique style of tango.

Upon returning to Argentina in 1955, Piazzolla formed the Octeto Buenos Aires and introduced his nuevo tango, which featured innovative elements such as operatic melodies, jazz-style bass lines, and the inclusion of instruments like the flute, saxophone, and electric guitar. Despite initial resistance in Argentina, his music gained acceptance in Europe and North America, and he became a celebrated figure internationally.

Throughout his career, Piazzolla played with numerous ensembles, including the 1946 Orchestra, the 1955 Octeto Buenos Aires, and the 1989 Sextet, among others. He collaborated with renowned musicians such as cellist Yo-Yo Ma and jazz saxophonist Gerry Mulligan. Piazzolla's extensive body of work includes around 3,000 compositions and approximately 500 recordings, with notable pieces like "Balada para un loco" and "Adiós Nonino."

Astor Piazzolla passed away on July 4, 1992, in Buenos Aires, Argentina, leaving behind a legacy as "El Gran Astor" and a profound impact on the evolution of tango music.