Australian composer and pianist Daniel Rojas specialises in Latin and tango music as well as improvisation. He draws from a broad musical palette that includes Latin American indigenous, folk, classical and popular traditions, and Western contemporary classical and jazz languages and techniques. Ahead of his tango quintet, La Luna Tango Ensemble’s performance at Sydney’s Camelot Lounge, Limelight gave him the 20 Questions treatment.

1. Who are your three favourite non-classical musicians?

Oscar Peterson, Shakira, Freddie Mercury

2. Top five composers?

Bach, Mozart, Stravinsky, Bartók and Ginastera

3. The instrument you’ve always wanted to play but never have?

The contrabassoon

4. Three favourite pianists?

Krystian Zimerman, Claudio Arrau and Khatia Buniatishvili

5. If you weren’t a musician what would you be?

A TV evangelist… a politician… a circus acrobat… Nah! I can’t think of being anything else other than a musician!

6. Most embarrassing moment on stage?

Gosh, I’m embarrassed that I can’t think of any!

7. Most uplifting concert experience as an audience member?

Being present at Teresa Careño Concert Hall in Caracas to witness Silvestre Revueltas and Alberto Ginastera being performed by the Simón Bolívar Symphony Orchestra of Venezuela (note, this is the national orchestra, not the youthful “El Sistema” that has...