Argentine-born Pedro Giraudo is being hailed as one of jazz scene's most creative bandleaders. His 2009 "El Viaje" swept top honors in Latin Jazz Corner "Best of Year." Downbeat's John Murph calls it "an opulent listening experience of modern, orchestral jazz, brimming with passionate improvisations, deliberate contrapuntal melodies and plush harmonies.” Pedro Giraudo, in the tradition of such composers as Duke Ellington and Carla Bley, highlights the unique talents of each musician in his 13-piece ensemble, while masterfully weaving together pre-composed and improvised elements. The band's 2009 release, "El Viaje" has captured the attention of some of the country's most seasoned music critics, In the Village Voice Jazz Critics Poll 2009, it made the top 10 lists of both George Kanzier (Hot House, All About Jazz-New York, JazzTimes) and Marcela Breton (Jazz Journalists Association). Peter Watrous, writing in Descarga.com, calls the band “one of the most impressive orchestras around. . . [their] riveting performances are modern jazz and Latin music at its best." Fernando Gonzalez of The Miami Herald picked El Viaje among his short list of releases of contemporary Latin jazz. All About Jazz-New York selected it among their "Best of 2009 Latin Jazz Releases." In writing about El Viaje in Latin Jazz Corner, Chip Boaz called it "an emotionally charged masterpiece," observing that "Giraudo crafts a beautiful statement, building music that screams with passion, excitement, fear, joy, contemplation, serenity, and so much more in a deeply moving expression of humanity. Memorable melodies and rich harmonies anchor the foundation of Giraudo’s compositions, but there’s a deeper thoughtfulness that flows throughout the work."