Born in Waalre (NL) in 1958, Carel was eight years old when he first laid his eyes on a piano music book. In the early 80’s Carel had contact with a bandoneón for the first time. At that moment he knew, without a doubt, that he wanted to be a bandoneonist. On February 2nd 2002 his career took a leap forward. Carel played ‘Adiós Nonino’ at the Dutch royal wedding of HRH Prince Willem-Alexander and, originally Argentinean, Máxima Zorreguieta (now HRH King and Queen of The Netherlands). Carel’s concerts have been popular since then. Numerous tours (national and international), albums, projects and collaborations with Dutch and international artists have been taking place. Having composed over 80 pieces, Carel is also an established name for new tango and South American music. Carel has played solo, with orchestras, in several long lasting collaborations (for example with harpist Lavinia Meijer), in his own Sexteto Canyengue and Carel Kraayenhof Ensemble and in a duo formation with Argentinean pianist Juan Pablo Dobal. This shows his flexibility as an artist and highlights his adaptability with different music genres. Tango is his passion but making music is his way of life.