Hot & Cool Jazz: Pianist and Composer Gustavo Casenave

Please join us for our first Hot & Cool Jazz concert of the new season with multi-Grammy winning pianist and composer Gustavo Casenave whose artistry defies boundaries, blending the worlds of jazz, classical, and tango into a deeply personal and unmistakable voice. Born in Uruguay and based in the United States for more than three decades (he lives in Easton), Casenave has been recognized internationally not only for his virtuosity but for his profound originality as both performer and composer. Casenave’s performances have drawn critical acclaim from major international media. The New York Times praised his “exuberant, virtuosic performance,” the Los Angeles Times cited his “ferocious, emotionally wrenching playing,” and The Chicago Tribune called him a “sensational musician.” From orchestral podiums to intimate solo recitals, his music has been described as virtuosic, brilliant, and transcendent.

Casenave’s career has taken him to some of the world’s most prestigious stages, including Carnegie Hall, Walt Disney Concert Hall, the Blue Note (New York), Taiwan National Theater, and Lincoln Center. He has been a featured artist at leading festivals such as the St. Lucia Jazz Festival, Graz Jazz Festival, Marian’s Jazz Room in Switzerland, and major events across Europe, Asia and throughout the Americas.

His collaborations read like a cross-genre map of contemporary music: Yo-Yo Ma, John Patitucci, Eddie Gomez, Christian McBride, the 12 Cellists of the Berlin Philharmonic, Bette Midler, Deepak Chopra, Paquito D’Rivera, Miguel Zenón, Avishai Cohen, Jane Ira Bloom, and many more. Equally at home in chamber music, orchestral settings, jazz ensembles, or unaccompanied piano, Casenave has built a career on versatility without compromise.

The music industry has repeatedly recognized his contributions. His three Grammy wins include a 2019 Latin Grammy for Best Instrumental Album (Piano Solo), a 2020 Latin Grammy for Best Tango Album (Quartet), and a 2023 Grammy for Best Latin Jazz Album as producer. He has also been honored with the Artistic Excellence Award from the Connecticut Office of the Arts (2025).

In addition to his concert career, Casenave is a devoted educator, having served as Jazz Department Director at the Harbor Conservatory for the Performing Arts in New York for 15 years and he has given lectures and master classes at The Juilliard School, Yale University, Eastman School, Oberlin Conservatory, Columbia University, and other leading institutions. His teaching reflects the same values that drive his performance: fearless creativity, technical mastery, and respect for tradition.

Hot & Cool Jazz is brought to you by the generosity of the Estate of James (Tom) and Alice Brown. Special thanks to Chris & Tish Brubeck. 

Advance registration strongly recommended. Register online or call 203-762-6334. Reception following the concert with CDs for sale and signing. Suggested donation: $10: online donations can be made here. With our new registration system, you can sign up two attendees at the same time but they still need to be entered individually; please click on "Add Another" to register the second name. Pre-registrants should arrive by 3:50pm to be guaranteed seating; wait-listed and walk-in registrants will be admitted after 3:50pm if space is available.  Wilton Library, 137 Old Ridgefield Road, Wilton, CT www.wiltonlibrary.org