Terig Tucci

Terig Tucci (June 23, 1897 – February 28, 1973) was an Argentine composer, orchestrator, conductor, violinist, pianist, and mandolinist. He was a leading advocate of music for the tango in the United States who collaborated with the singer Carlos Gardel. Biography Tucci was born in Buenos Aires, Argentina in 1897. His first composition, “Cariños de madre” was performed for a zarzuela at the Avenida Theatre in 1917. Following a career as a violinist in local cinema orchestras, he left for New York City in 1923. From 1930 to 1941 he performed for NBC Radio as a member of the NBC Orchestra under the direction of Hugo Mariani. The RCA Victor recording label named Tucci as its executive producer of their lucrative Latin American music unit in 1932. In 1934 he collaborated as an orchestrator with his fellow countryman Carlos Gardel as part of the tango vocalist’s contract with Paramount Pictures in their Astoria, Queens studios. Tucci also served as both a close friend to Gardel as well as his musical scribe during the early 1930s. He also played mandolin in a trio with Adolfo Mejía Navarro on guitar and Antonio Francés on lute. While remaining at the helm of RCA Victor’s Latin unit, Tuc