Felipe Arce

Felipe Arce is an Argentinian-born, New York-based bass player, composer, arranger, band leader and educator.

After finishing high school, Arce embarked on a professional career in Buenos Aires, Argentina, while attending Escuela de Música Contemporánea (EMC) – Berklee International Network (BIN), where he graduated with a bachelor’s degree in music. Toward the end of his studies at EMC – BIN, Felipe Arce won a highly competitive national competition to study in the prestigious Jazz Degree Program at the Manuel de Falla Conservatory, an institution known for shaping the music stars of the future. He also had the honor of being the principal double bassist for the Manuel de Falla Big Band, an orchestra comprising the conservatory’s most talented musicians.

Before establishing himself in the United States, Arce had already built a remarkable and successful career in Latin America. He was a regular performer at some of the region’s most prestigious music venues, including La Usina del Arte, Centro Cultural Kirchner (CCK), Anfiteatro del Parque Centenario, Virasoro Bar, Hard Rock Café, Thelonious Club (recognized by DownBeat Magazine as one of the world’s premier jazz clubs), and La Trastienda.

Since relocating to Brooklyn, New York, in 2023, Arce has continued to excel and expand his artistry, firmly establishing himself in New York City’s highly competitive music scene.

A testament to his unique artistry is his current project, the Felipe Arce Quintet. As the creative force behind the quintet, Arce composes all the music, blending a variety of styles to craft a distinctive and innovative sound. The group’s debut album, EXPANSION, was released in May 2025. Recorded at the renowned Bacque Recording Studio in Roselle, New Jersey. The project brought together an extraordinary ensemble of internationally acclaimed musicians, including Grammy Award-winning pianist Leo Genovese. Genovese, the 2023 Grammy Award winner for Best Jazz Improvised Solo, praised Arce’s work on the album:

“During this project, Felipe demonstrated his remarkable skills not only as a bassist but also as an arranger and composer. His ability to craft intricate and engaging arrangements, as well as his compositional talent, were on full display, further showcasing his depth as an artist.”

EXPANSION was released under the legendary Fresh Sound record label, known for introducing some of the most influential jazz artists of the last two decades, including Brad Mehldau, Kurt Rosenwinkel, Robert Glasper, and Miguel Zenón.

Besides leading his own successful project, it is unquestionable to affirm that in less than two years of living in the United States, Arce has achieved milestones that many musicians spend an entire career pursuing. He has shared stage with first class artists such as Grammy Award winners Leo Genovese and Agustin Uriburu, Grammy nominees Jenn Jade Ledesna and Hector Martignon; legendary former Kool & the Gang saxophonist Steve Carrington and virtuoso jazz pianist Mike King, among many others. Mr. Arce performs regularly with these and many other leaders on the field at New York’s most prestigious music venues.

Since moving to New York, Mr. Arce’s musical talent has gained recognition not only in the United States but across the Americas. In October 2024 he embarked on a highly successful musical tour in Mexico, where he presented his original compositions to enthusiastic audiences. This tour further cemented his status as a leading figure in the international jazz and contemporary music scenes. During the tour, Mr. Arce performed at prestigious venues, including Jazzatlán and Zinco Jazz Club, renowned for hosting celebrated musicians from around the world. His performances, marked by collaboration with highly respected Mexican musicians, were met with resounding success and critical acclaim.

In addition to his performance accomplishments, Mr. Arce has demonstrated since an early age a profound passion and commitment to music education and before moving to the United Stated he was already considered a cornerstone of musical education in Buenos Aires. Nowadays he has become a sought-after music educator in New York. He secured a coveted position as a stable instructor at the Brooklyn Conservatory of Music, a prestigious institution dedicated to excellence in music education.

Mr. Arce has also contributed to the educational missions of iconic institutions such as the Metropolitan Museum of Art (Met Museum) and the One World Observatory, leading workshops and activities that highlight his ability to adapt his teaching to diverse environments and audiences.