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 " . . . 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

BIOGRAPHY

Gustavo Casenave, an esteemed Uruguayan/American pianist and composer, has made remarkable contributions to the music industry throughout his career. As a distinguished Three-Time Grammy Award winner, his exceptional talent and outstanding work have been recognized with the highest honor. He secured the prestigious Grammy titles of "Best Latin Jazz Album" (as a producer) in 2023, "Best Tango Album" in 2020, and "Best Instrumental Album" in 2019, 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 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.

 

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.

 PERFORMED, COLLABORATED AND RECORDED WITH:

Yo-Yo Ma, John Patitucci, Christian Mc Bride, Eddie Gomez ,Bette Midler, Deepak Chopra, Robert Duvall, Paquito D’Rivera, Neil Sedaca, Mark Egan, CharlElie Couture, Jane Ira Bloom, Manolo Badrena, John Benitez, Federico Britos, Miguel Zenon, Avishai Cohen, Charlie Persip, Pedro Giraudo, Nestor Torres, Ray Vega and Hector del Curto among many others.

 AWARDS AND RECOGNITION

2023  GRAMMY AWARD WINNER 

2022 Majestic Excellence Award - Excellence Piano Awards            International Competition

2021 Declared: Illustrious Citizen of the City of Montevideo

2021 First time Recipient of the "Horacio Ferrer Award"

2021 QCA Art Fund  – New Works Grant

2020 Latin GRAMMY AWARD WINNER 

2019 Latin GRAMMY AWARD WINNER 

2019 Latin GRAMMY Nominee 

2019 QCA Art Fund Awardee – New Works Grant

2018 American Prize in Composition - Finalist

2018 Rotary Club Uruguay - Distinction Medal Honoree 

2017 Latin GRAMMY Nominee “Best Instrumental Album”

2016 Latin GRAMMY Nominee “Best Contemporary Classical           Composition”

2014 Latin GRAMMY Nominee

          “Best Contemporary Classical Composition”

2012 Latin Grammy Nominee

          “Best Contemporary Classical Composition”

2017 QCA Art Fund Awardee – New Works Grant

2015 ACE Award Recipient “Best Show of the Year”

          (Tango Lovers Show / Musical Director)

2014 Became a Steinway Artist

2014 Published his first music theory book:

          “The Harmonic Structure Levels”

2013 New Music USA Award

2013 Con Edison Composers Residency Award

2012 City of Montevideo Recognition:

          “The Greatest Uruguayan Musicians”

2007 “Tango Casenave Show” “of national and cultural   

           interest” by the Uruguayan Government.

2006 New York film and video Festival | Composer for

           feature film "La cascara” (The Rind)

2001 Semifinalist in the "Independent Music Awards"

          together with Manolo Badrena, John Benitez

1999 International Award winner: "Belgian Artistic     

          Promotion" Europe Jazz Contest 1999 (BELGIUM)

1997 "Professional Achievement Scholarship"

          Berklee College of Music (USA)

1997 "Professional Music Achievement Award"

          Berklee College of Music (USA)

1996 Selected among the 10 best composers coming out

          from Berklee in 30 years (1966-1996) (USA)

1994 Full two year Fellowship from the O.A.S.

          (Organization of American States) 

 EDUCATION

2010 Columbia University (New York City): Jazz Composers Orchestra Institute directed by Tania Leon and Derek Bermel.

1994 -1997 Jazz Private studies with Gary Burton.

1996 -1997 Jazz Private studies with Kenny Werner, Bob Brookmyer and George Garzone.

1994 -1997 Bachelor’s Degree, Berklee College of Music - Graduated Magna Cum Laude, Professional Music Major.

1992 -1993 Jazz studies with Alberto Magnone (Montevideo, Uruguay).

1989 -1994 Escuela Universitaria de Musica (Uruguayan Music University) - Composition Major

1987 -1990 Composition Studies with Hector Tosar, (Aaron Copland’s disciple)

1979 -1985 Escuela de Musica del Instituto Crandon. Classical Piano and Harmony 7th year Diploma.

1975 -1989 St. Catherine’s School (Montevideo, Uruguay) Primary and Secondary Bilingual Education.

EDUCATOR AND TEACHER

- The Juilliard School (guest lecturer from 2008 until present),

- Harbor Conservatory for the Performing Arts (Jazz Department         Director   / composition/ piano teacher)

- Stowe Tango Music Festival permanent Faculty member

- Yale University

- Harvard University

- Eastman University

- Oberlin Conservatory

- Columbia University

- University of Florida,

- Dance Manhattan,

- Lincoln Center Institute,

 - New York University

 - University of Uruguay

 - St. - Catherine’s School

 - Conservatorio de Musica de Puerto Rico

- Wien Konservatorium

- Waldorfschule (Austria)

- Kärntner Landeskonservatorium

- Musikschule St.Veit (Austria) Freising Schule (Germany).

 

 PERFORMANCES AT VENUES OF DISTINGUISHED REPUTATION

 

 

The Blue Note (NYC)

Walt Disney Concert Hall (Los Angeles, USA)

Carnegie Hall (USA),

Teatro Solis (URUGUAY)

Taiwan National Theater (TAIWAN)

The A Train – Jazz Club (Berlin/GERMANY),

Porgy & Bess Jazz Club (Vienna/AUSTRIA)

Chung Mu Art Hall (KOREA)

Sony Studio (JAPAN)

Centro de Bellas Artes de Caguas (PUERTO RICO)

Europe Jazz Contest (BELGIUM)

Kodak Theatre (Los Angeles- USA),

Casino Lisboa Theatre (PORTUGAL)

Harris Theatre (CHICAGO)

The Jazz Standard (New York)

Lincoln Center (New York USA)

Marin Center (USA)

Alfred Lerner Hall, Columbia University (USA)

Jazz Tour Festival (URUGUAY)

Mondavi Center for the Performing Arts (USA)

Hypo Jazz Festival (AUSTRIA),

Bosendorfer New York (USA)

Jazz Festival Seeon (GERMANY)

Blumenthal Performing Arts Center (USA)

JVC Jazz Festival (New York)

Metropolitan Museum (New York USA)

Graz Jazz Festival (AUSTRIA),

Symphony Space (New York ,USA)

JazzKeller (Frankfurt -GERMANY),

Vilar Performing arts Center (USA)

Sala Verdi (URUGUAY),

Cami Hall (New York City)

Metropolitan Museum of Art (NYC - USA)

Benaroya Hall (Seattle WA USA),

Cooper Union - Great Hall (NYC - USA),

The Jazz Cable Channel (NewYork - USA),

Keep Walking Jazz Tour Festival (URUGUAY),

Town Hall (New York, USA)

Manhattan Neighborhood Network (NewYorkTV Channel),

Kravis Center for the Performing Arts (USA)

ORF (National TV/ AUSTRIA),

Jackie Gleason Theatre (Miami, USA)

One World Theater (USA)

BPC Hall (Boston USA),

International Jazz Festival at Kempten, (GERMANY) ,

NY City Center (NYC - USA)

International Contest for Contemporary Chamber Music at Düsseldorf (GERMANY)

Sala Zitarrosa (URUGUAY),

Manship Theater (USA)

Walton Arts Center (USA)

Livermore Valley Performing arts Center (USA)

North Carolina Performing arts Center (USA

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