Fri Oct 11
" . . . exuberant , virtuosic performance. . . " THE NEW YORK TIMES
" . . . ferocious performance, emotionally wrenching playing. . . "LOS ANGELES TIMES
" . . . enough can' t be said, sensational musician. . . " CHICAGO TRIBUNE
" . . . Gustavo Casenave led the virtuosic ensemble, … show stopper. . . " THE WASHINGTON POST
“…one of the best pianists our country has…” DIARIO EL PAIS (URUGUAY)
Three-Time Grammy Winner Uruguayan Pianist Gustavo Casenave performs piano solo at Blues Alley Jazz
Three-Time Grammy Award winner, Gustavo Casenave, a distinguished an esteemed American/Uruguayan pianist and composer, has made remarkable contributions to the music industry throughout his career. He secured the prestigious Grammy titles of "Best Latin Jazz Album" (producer) in 2023, "Best Tango Album" in 2020 (band leader), and "Best Instrumental Album" in 2019 (piano solo), showcasing his remarkable ability to create compositions that resonate with audiences worldwide. Alongside his Grammy wins, Casenave has received six Latin Grammy nominations, including three nods in the highly regarded "Best Contemporary Classical Composition" category.
In addition to his Grammy achievements, Casenave's musical prowess has been acknowledged in various ways. As a Steinway Artist since 2014, he has demonstrated his exceptional skills, which were further recognized with the "Majestic Excellence Award 2022" at the Excellence Piano Awards International Competition in Europe. He has also been honored as a Two-Time Gold Medal Award winner at the esteemed Global Music Awards, received the inaugural "Horacio Ferrer" Award, presented by Uruguayan Vice President Beatriz Argimon and was distinguished as “Illustrious Citizen of the City of Montevideo (Uruguay) in 2021, highlighting his profound impact on the musical landscape. In 2015, he was honored as an ACE Awardee for his exceptional contributions to the arts.
Casenave's artistry extends beyond genres, as he has captivated audiences worldwide with his performances in Jazz, Classical, and Tango. Collaborating with renowned artists such as Yo-Yo Ma, Christian McBride, Bette Midler, the 12 cellists of the Berlin Philharmonic, John Patitucci, Paquito D’Rivera, Robert Duvall, Eddie Gomez and Deepak Chopra among many others, he has showcased his versatility and talent on stages across North, Central and South America, Europe, and Asia, at prestigious venues including Carnegie Hall, The Walt Disney Concert Hall, Lincoln Center and Taiwan National Concert Hall.In addition to his accomplishments as a performer, Casenave's dedication to preserving and evolving Tango is evident through his involvement in nearly every major Tango show in the United States over the past two decades. From Forever Tango to Tango Fire, Tango Lovers, Tango Buenos Aires, and Eternal Tango Orchestra, he has left an indelible mark on the rich Tango tradition.
Furthermore, he has shared his expertise as a former Jazz Department Director at the Harbor Conservatory for the Performing Arts and through Tango Master Classes and guest artist lectures at esteemed institutions worldwide such as The Juilliard School, Yale University, Eastman School of Music, Oberlin Conservatory and Indiana University. Casenave's contributions as a performer, composer, educator, and scholar are truly exceptional. With over 35 albums to his name, his extensive discography reflects his passion for creating meaningful music. In 2014, he further solidified his reputation as an accomplished scholar with the publication of his first music theory book, "The Harmonic Structure Levels." Notably, he continues to inspire and educate as a permanent faculty member at the Stowe Tango Music Festival in Vermont. Gustavo Casenave's remarkable journey, crowned by his three Grammy wins, is a testament to his extraordinary talent and profound impact on the world of music.