The goal of this project is to digitalize, promote, and distribute unpublished recordings of invaluable cultural and historical significance to Argentina's interior, archived in quarter-inch tape in Mendoza’s historic music studio, Zanessi Studios. This collection has been declared of national interest (Interés Patrimonial) by the Province of Mendoza, and as its tape nears the age
of 50, its preservation has become increasingly urgent. The musicians who recorded at Zanessi, from around western Argentina, were foundational in shaping the sound of contemporary
Argentine folk music.

 Movement, a social artistic movement founded in Mendoza in 1963 that sought to represent the lives and experiences of everyday Argentians, promote Pan-Americanism, and bend traditional folk music rules. The movement, comprised, amongst others, of the voice of Mercedes Sosa, the poetry of Armando Tejada Gomez, the melodies of Oscar Matus, and the compositions of virtuosic guitarist, Tito Francia, inspired and linked with other “New Song” movements around Latin America (La Nueva Canción Chilena, La Nueva Trova Cubana, etc.).
 

My partner in this project is Zanessi Studio owner, Daniel Zanessi (Mendoza, Argentina). As the son of founder Arrigo Zanessi, he grew up in the studio and helped record many of the sessions the team is now working on digitalizing. We will be working with the musicians or their descendants to publish this collection alongside related photos and stories.