Gustavo Casenave is the new ambassador of Uruguay´s Country Brand

Three-time Grammy winner Gustavo Casenave was distinguished as ambassador of the Uruguay Country Brand. The artist was chosen for being one of the most internationally recognized Uruguayan musicians, with more than 35 albums behind him and his extensive work in the service of tango, one of the country's identity genres.

“It is really an honor for me to be ambassador of Marca País, a distinction granted by Uruguay XXI. I think I have always been an ambassador of Uruguay; since I left 30 years ago I have been promoting the country and defending with the tangueros that tango is also Uruguayan. Now it is really an honor to be officially recognized,” said the artist upon receiving the diploma.

Casenave won the prestigious Grammy titles of “Best Latin Jazz Album” (as producer) in 2023, “Best Tango Album” in 2020 and “Best Instrumental Album” in 2019, demonstrating his remarkable ability to create compositions that resonate with audiences around the world. In addition, he was a six-time Latin Grammy nominee, including three nominations in the “Best Contemporary Classical Composition” category.

His musical prowess led him to be recognized as a Steinway Artist since 2014 and with the “Majestic Excellence Award 2022” at the Excellence Piano Awards International Competition in Europe. He also received the Gold Medal twice at the esteemed Global Music Awards, the inaugural “Horacio Ferrer” award, presented by Uruguayan Vice President Beatriz Argimón, and was distinguished as “Distinguished Citizen of the City of Montevideo (Uruguay) in 2021, highlighting his profound impact on the musical landscape. In 2015, he was awarded the ACE Award for his outstanding contribution to the arts.

Casenave's artistry goes beyond genres; he has captivated audiences around the world with his performances in Jazz, Classical and Tango and collaborations 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.

“In my concerts I always play original music, which is a mix of jazz, tango and classical music,” Casenave explained, highlighting his unique style and interdisciplinary approach to music.

In addition to his accomplishments as a performer, Casenave's dedication to the preservation and evolution of tango is evident through his participation in nearly every major tango show in the United States over the past two decades. In addition, he has shared his expertise as former head of the Jazz Department at the Harbor Conservatory for the Performing Arts and through tango master classes and guest artist lectures at prestigious institutions around the world such as The Juilliard School, Yale University, Eastman School of Music, Oberlin Conservatory and Indiana University.

Uruguay's country brand is a distinctive emblem that represents the country abroad, mainly in the areas of tourism, foreign trade and investment. In order to continue strengthening its global presence, the government agency Uruguay XXI, through its Country Brand management, implements the Brand Ambassadors project, which involves national personalities who are recognized in Uruguay and the world for their performance and achievements.

The award-winning musician has now joined the distinguished list, which recently included rally racer Patricia Pita and musician Jorge Drexler, as well as other relevant local figures in music, culture and sports.

“On September 8 I will be performing at the Solís Theater at 8 pm. I always carry Uruguay on high all over the world, everywhere I play, and today I am honored to receive this diploma as ambassador of Marca País. I have been living in New York for 30 years, mainly, but always coming back to Uruguay has that taste that I love; I am always so well received,” said Casenave when talking about his connection with Uruguay and his upcoming projects in the country.

On the cattery of Luis Suárez's retirement from the Uruguayan national team, the musician recalled that he wrote a song to the soccer player titled Garra Charrúa, and expressed his desire to get it to him in some way. “This Friday our Uruguayan soccer star, Luis Suárez, retires from the Uruguayan National Team. I wish the national team every success,” he added.

After his presentation at the Solís, the artist will continue with a tour of the interior of the country, with several presentations scheduled in Tacuarembó, Durazno, Soriano and Maldonado.