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Julian Rowlands is a bandoneonist specialising in Tango, classical and contemporary music. Originally a pianist, violinist and composer, Julian studied music at Southampton University focusing on performance, composition and twentieth century repertoire

After becoming involved with tango music, the fascinating sound and unique expressive possibilities of the bandoneon led him to take a career break in order to study the instrument with the leading Argentinean player Victor Villena.

In 2009 Julian was invited to join the highly acclaimed tango ensemble Tango Siempre and has since performed with them at major arts venues and theatres in the UK and Europe, including the Royal Festival Hall, The Lowry, Perth Concert Hall, the Queen Elizabeth Hall (in La Linea festival), Festival Musitemático in Tenerife, Royal Northern College of Music, Warwick Arts Centre, The Sage Gateshead, Oxford Playhouse, St Georges Bristol, Howard Assembly Room Leeds and Jersey Opera House.

Julian has performed live on BBC Radio 3's "In Tune" with bass-baritone Erwin Schrott, and on BBC1 television's "The One Show". He will be appearing with the soloists of the London Philharmonic Orchestra at the Wigmore Hall in December 2010 in Piazzolla's 'Five Tango Sensations'.

Julian has appeared as a soloist with the Bristol Ensemble (formerly the Emerald Ensemble), performing Astor Piazzolla's ‘Four Seasons’ in his own arrangement for bandoneon and strings. He also plays with La Portatil Tango Orchestra, is principle bandoneonist of the London Tango Orchestra, and has duos with the outstanding classical guitarist Adam Khan and Belgian pianist Ivo de Greef. Julian has done numerous recording sessions on the bandoneon, including playing on Robert Wyatt’s new album.

Julian Rowlands' repertoire includes the major works of Astor Piazzolla, solo classical pieces, tango arrangements, chamber music, concertos and his own compositions.