Astor Piazzola (1921-1992) led a successful career as a performer, composer, and scholar, combining aspects of Argentinian music with aspects of classical and jazz music. His addition of these elements to the Argentinian tango tradition became known as nuevo tango. His parents, Italian immigrants, decided to move to New York City when he was four years old. While his parents worked, he spent his days on the streets of Greenwich Village, and Lower Manhattan. Wandering the burrough, Piazzola heard jazz and classical music, and listened to records of Argentinian tango at home.