Facundo Estefanell

Biography

Facundo Estefanell is a Uruguayan double bassist and composer whose work expands the expressive horizons of his instrument. Now based in Rio de Janeiro, Facundo has built a career defined by musical exploration — moving fluidly between tango, classical, and contemporary music while crafting an unmistakable voice of his own. He has released two acclaimed albums: TAPE (2021), supported by FONAM, and Raízes Contemporâneas (2022), winner of the Ibermúsicas Award, which fuses elements of folklore, jazz, and classical technique into a distinctive sonic identity. Both albums are available on Spotify. Currently performing with the Petrobras Symphony Orchestra, Facundo is also co-founder of Tango Revirado, an ensemble dedicated to reimagining the tango tradition for modern audiences. He holds a Master's degree in Music from UNIRIO, and has served as principal bassist for the Cesgranrio Symphony Orchestra (RJ) and as a member of the Theatro Municipal Symphony Orchestra (RJ). His international experience includes performances with the YOA – Orchestra of the Americas (Canada) and the Orquesta Juvenil del SODRE (Montevideo), with tours through Germany, Spain, and France. Trained in tango performance under the Orquesta Escuela Destaoriya, Facundo has collaborated with influential artists such as Horacio Ferrer, Nicolás Ledesma, Ruben Rada, Hugo Fattoruso, Denis Chang (Canada), and Hamilton de Holanda. In Brazil, he has performed at major stages and festivals including Rock in Rio, SESC Jazz, and Rio Montreux Jazz Festival, contributing to recordings and projects across the country's vibrant music scene. A recipient of Rio de Janeiro's "Viva o Talento" Award, Facundo continues to distinguish himself as a performer, composer, and researcher who redefines the role of the double bass in Latin American contemporary music. In 2023, he received another Ibermúsicas Award for his project "The Double Bass in Tango," which took him to Buenos Aires for advanced studies under maestros Pablo Motta, Horacio Cabarcos, Victor Lavallén, and Julián Peralta. His recent performances include appearances at Borges 1975 (Buenos Aires), Festival COMA (Brasília), Panela do Jazz (Recife), and Jazz Livre (Rádio MEC). With Tango Revirado, he has performed on prestigious stages such as the Theatro Municipal do Rio de Janeiro, Sala Cecília Meireles, and Festival de Tango de Brasília, earning recognition as one of the most innovative double bassists shaping the future of Latin music.