Bajofondo
Genre: Contemporary music from the Río de la Plata
Country: Uruguay, Argentina
Bajofondo is a music collective based in the Río de la Plata region, composed of eight musicians from Argentina and Uruguay. Known for blending traditional styles like tango, milonga, murga, and candombe with contemporary genres such as electronic, rock, jazz, and hip hop, Bajofondo has become a defining force in modern Rioplatense music.
Overview
Founded in the early 2000s by Gustavo Santaolalla and Juan Campodónico, Bajofondo began as a studio experiment, exploring the fusion of acoustic tango instrumentation with sampling and electronic beats. The project evolved into a full-fledged touring group with an internationally acclaimed sound.
Bajofondo refers to itself as a collective, not a band. Each member maintains a solo career, often collaborating across Bajofondo and individual projects. The group consists of seven musicians and one VJ, who creates real-time visual projections during live performances.
Their music is more recognized than their name, due in large part to its frequent use in film, television, and advertising.
Name and Concept
The name Bajofondo refers to the lower depths of the Río de la Plata, symbolizing the political division between Argentina and Uruguay, but also the cultural unity of the region. While their debut album was categorized as electrotango, the group rejects that label as reductive. Tango is only one of many influences shaping their sound.
Musical inspirations include:
Traditional styles: tango, milonga, murga, candombe
Contemporary elements: electronic music, sampling, hip hop, rock, jazz
Members
Bajofondo’s core lineup includes:
Gustavo Santaolalla – guitar, composer, producer
Juan Campodónico – sampling, programming, composer
Luciano Supervielle – piano, turntables
Verónica Loza – visual jockey (VJ), vocals
Adrián Nicolás Sosa – drums
Javier Casalla – violin
Martín Ferrés – bandoneon
Gabriel Casacuberta – bass
Two members live in Los Angeles (Santaolalla and Sosa), four are based in Uruguay, and two in Argentina.
Collaborations
Bajofondo has worked with numerous guest artists, including:
Discography
Bajofondo Tango Club (2002) – triple platinum in Argentina; Latin Grammy winner
Bajofondo Remixed (2005)
Mar Dulce (2008) – expanded focus beyond tango
Presente (2013) – features orchestral arrangements with 11 violins, 4 violas, 3 cellos, and 3 contrabasses; Latin Grammy winner
Other albums include solo projects by members (e.g., Luciano Supervielle’s 2004 solo album)
Live Performances and Tours
Bajofondo has toured globally, performing in:
Latin America, United States, Europe, Asia
Major appearances include:
Festival Internacional Cervantino
Walt Disney Concert Hall with the Orchestra of the Americas
Argentina’s Bicentennial Celebrations (2009)
In Film, TV, and Advertising
Bajofondo’s music is widely used in audiovisual media, often more than it is heard on radio. Examples include:
"Pa’ bailar":
Theme for A Favorita (TV Globo, Brazil)
Featured in an Acura Super Bowl ad
Used in ads for Kahlúa, Macy’s, and Shell
Warner Cable used it for a trailer of Nikita (2011)
Chosen by the Russian Olympic gymnastics team (2012)
Awards
Latin Grammy Awards:
Best Instrumental Pop Album for Bajofondo Tango Club
Best Instrumental Album for Presente
See Also
External Links
References
Adapted from: Bajofondo – Wikipedia (retrieved 2025)
• Juan Campodónico – founder, sampler, programmer
• Gustavo Santaolalla – founder, guitarist
• Luciano Supervielle – pianist, turntables
Recordings
No recordings found for this group.