Pedro Maffia

Who was Pedro Maffia?

Pedro Mario Maffia was an Argentine tango bandoneonist, bandleader, composer and teacher, as well as starring in several tango films.

Maffia had a hard upbringing, he was beaten with a chain by his father and lived in dire poverty. He eventually ran away from home to live in the town of Punta Alta in the Province of Buenos Aires, where he was discovered by Carlos Gardel and José Razzano.

Maffia is remembered as a pioneer of the bandoneon and a great stylist. He was one of the first to play the instrument a cappella. He had a relaxed playing style and an inventiveness for misplaced accents and nuances.

Maffia starred in a number of tango films including Tango, Canillita and Fueye querido. He also worked as a music teacher, and wrote an important method of teaching the bandoneon.

The bandoneonist Aníbal Troilo dedicated a song to him entitled A Pedro Maffia.