Pedro Maffia

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Pedro Mario Maffia (August 28, 1899 - October 16, 1967) 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 ending up in the remote town of Punta Arenas 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 accentsand nuances.

Maffia starred in a number of tango films including Tango (1933) Canillita (1936) and Fueye querido (1966). He also worked as a music teacher, and wrote an important method of teaching the bandoneon.

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