Latin finale

It takes about 60 to tango. That number includes all of the musicians of the Spokane Symphony, one Argentine bandoneon player (we’ll explain later), two tango dancers, one vocalist and associate conductor Morihiko Nakahara. All will be collaborating on “Latin Fiesta,” a special, season-ending symphony concert Wednesday at the Opera House.

“It’s a fun music to perform and a challenge to perform,” said Nakahara. “It’s just so rhythmic and so enjoyable.”

The concert is devoted to the music of Mexico, Cuba, Argentina, Brazil and Spain. You’ll hear the classic Latin styles: the samba, the tango and the mambo, to name just a few.

Daniel Binelli is one of the featured guest artists – and if you were from Argentina, you’d probably know all about him.

He’s a master of the bandoneon, a kind of concertina. It’s a squeeze-box type of instrument, played entirely with buttons, which provides the distinctive sound in a lot of tango music.

“He’s considered the foremost bandoneon player in the world,” said Nakahara. “It’s a real honor to get an artist of his stature.”

Binelli was a member of the late Astor Piazzola’s New Tango Sextet and is widely acclaimed as the leading proponent of Piazzola’s “new tango” tradition.

He’ll perform several Piazzola compositions with the orchestra, as well as an unaccompanied piece called “El Choclo Bandoneon.” Two top tango dancers, Brian Dunn and Debbie Sklar, will dance to that piece. They’re from Boulder, Colo., and they often perform with Binelli.

The dancers also will be featured on several other numbers including “Por una cabeza,” from the film “The Scent of a Woman,” and “La Cumparsita.”

The other featured guest artist is local vocalist Max Mendez, who will sing the Latin-music staples “Granada” and “Estrellita.” Mendez is the director of music at the Cathedral of Our Lady of Lourdes and the director of the Gonzaga University Vocal Jazz Ensemble.

The orchestra also will play a medley of familiar Antonio Carlos Jobim tunes, including “Quiet Nights,” “The Girl From Ipanema” and “One Note Samba.”

Other familiar selections include “Tico Tico” and “Malaguena.” George Gershwin will be represented with “Cuban Overture.”

Nakahara recently signed for a third season as the symphony’s associate conductor.

“I love the community and I’m just glad to have the opportunity,” he said.