Los Angeles Brazilian Guitarist 1
"He is one of the most promising musicians of the new generation of Brazilians that landed in the U.S. recently. His music is precise and gentle, and at the same time it commands attention and imagination". Flora Purim, Brazilian Jazz singer legend.
This Los Angeles Brazilian Guitarist was born in February 27, 1964 in Brazil. He is a graduate of Seminários de Música Pró-Arte, a prestigious music school in Rio de Janeiro. He studied with Maestro Carlos Alberto Figueiredo, guitarists Luiz Felipe Oiticica and Celso Mendes. He also studied Harmony & Arranging with Sergio Benevenuto.
Los Angeles Brazilian Guitarist career
Since 1984, this Los Angeles Brazilian Guitarist has been working as a professional guitar player and music teacher. He was the leader and/or co-leader of many instrumental bands from Brazil such as: "Quarto de Jazz", "Sexto Andar", and "Quarteto Wabash". During that time this Los Angeles Brazilian Guitarist had the privilege to work with great Brazilian musicians such as Erivelton Silva, Paulo Marques, Andre Vasconcelos, Romulo Duarte, Genil de Castro, Oswaldo Amorim, Nema Antunes, Eduardo Brito, Mac William, among others. He also worked with the legendary Brazilian bass player Paulo Russo.
In 1990 this Los Angeles Brazilian Guitarist came to Los Angeles for the first time, to study at Musicians Institute. He studied with guitarists Joe Diorio, Scott Henderson, Norman Brown and with pianist/composer Carl Schroeder. After graduating with "Honors" from MI he went back to Brazil and opened a music school with guitarist Eduardo Brito and pianist Luciana Botafogo. There he taught guitar, harmony & improvisation. During that period he had the opportunity to organize workshops at his school with great American guitarists Pat Metheny and Joe Diorio.
Los Angeles Brazilian Guitarist award
In 1997, this Los Angeles Brazilian Guitarist got the "Virtuosi Award" from the Ministry of Culture of Brazil. At the end of that year he moved to Los Angeles, where he's been living since then. In 2003 he wrote the theme song for the TV Talk Show "New Life".
As a member of a Klezmer band, he recorded one song for the soundtrack of the movie "The Wedding Crashers" (Directed by David Dobkin for "New Line Cinema") - released in July, 2005, starring Owen Wilson, Vince Vaughn and Christopher Walken. This Los Angeles Brazilian Guitarist also appeared in a scene in the movie.
He has been performing and recording extensively in Los Angeles with great musicians and singers such as pop star Thalia, Rique Pantoja, Roger Espinoza, Frank Zottoli, Mike Rivera, Larry Rousseve, Mark Gutierrez, Mitchell Long, Irene Annette, Kamal Kozah, Kimera, Flavia de Mello, Gustavo Bulgach, Joselyn Wilkinson, Javelyn, Katia Moraes, Nayzeth, Ana Gazzola, Sonia Santos, the group Brasil Brazil, Diana Moreira Booker, Victor Serraldi, Patty Stirling, Marta Santamaria, Renni Flores, Bianca Rossini, Christopher Clark, Ron Javorsky and Antonio Santanna.
In 2001 this Los Angeles Brazilian Guitarist released his first CD as a leader with all original compositions, featuring: keyboardist Rique Pantoja, saxophonist George Shelby, flute player Darryl Richards, bassists Ernest Tibbs and Antonio de Santanna, drummers Tim McIntyre and Mike Shapiro, percussionist Cassio Duarte.
Donald Hewko
April 23, 2008
Thank you for your performance at Norwood Library in El Monte, CA this evening. I
thoroughly enjoyed it.
Keep up the good work.
Jah
Donna Prara
September 17, 2008
I just bought [this artist’s] cd online, and can’t wait for it to arrive! I am listening now to internet sneak peak. OMG……….it is EXCELLENT!!!!!!!!!!!!
Ronald and Irene
October 21, 2008
It was a pleasure listening to your classical guitar performance while eating a delicious Brazilian meal in El Sereno October 10, 2008. I would also like to mention that your CD… was extraordinary; I heard a bit of the guitar styles of Pat Metheney and perhaps Larry Carlton; a couple of my favorite guitarists….Take care,
Ronald
Jorge & Sara
May 25, 2010
Thank you so much for coming to our home and making our children’s Holy Communion celebration special. You really made the night! My family and I were very impressed with your professionalism and wouldn’t hesitate to recommend you.
Many thanks for sharing your time and talent with us!
The Dueñas Family
Alma Rodriguez
May 27, 2010
I really enjoyed listening to your music the other day at the 1st communion!!!
CONGRATS!!!
Andrea Meckna
June 5, 2010
I was inspired!! If you’ve seen the move “Vickie Christian Barcelona”, with Javier Bardem, it felt like what he described when he listens to spanish guitar…..”it moves me”! Your playing shows the beauty of nurturing of your craft, and I admire that so much! I heard you at Fashion Island, and I’m glad I had an opportunity to hear you play and talk to you for a moment.
Take care and keep doing what you are doing, the world needs to hear your music! Music is so amazing, I wish I could live in it forever!! 🙂 Thank you for sharing your talent!
Sue
October 17, 2010
thank you for playing at our wedding. it was more than we expected ( as in your playing). thanks for making our day special. it was greatly appreciated. feel free to use me as a reference, if you need one.
Hilda Ayala
October 27, 2010
I heard you play twice at the San Antonio Winery and love your latin music. I used to dance flamenco and your music brought back great memories. Great company, great wine and great music, can’t get better than that.
It was a magical moment Friday evening when the final rosy rays lit the historic ruins of the Great Stone Church at Mission San Juan Capistrano, known as the “Jewel” of the California missions. The “Romance of the Mission” benefit gala always features a live performance by a renowned singer in the magical setting, and this time, it was acclaimed baritone Rod Gilfry…The…Trio of flamenco guitarists added the perfect touch to the evening’s ambience.
Donna Bunce – The Orange County Register (Sep 20, 2011)
L.A. based Brazilian guitarist/composer [he] has released his début CD “Eleven Bridges”. Joined by some of the most proficient Brazilian jazz musicians in town, he offers a varied selection of originals, which manifest his eclectic influences. Cool and pretty melodies in tasteful harmonies are enlivened by a pallet of Brazilian rhythms and a more than a tinge of jazz. The CD opens with a lively samba funk (in partido alto clave), “Six Brothers”, inspired by the composer’s own family, which ends in a festive “batucada” featuring master percussionist Cassio Duarte. “Offhand” is a straight-ahead piece in 4/4. “Caí no Frevo” is an infectious frevo in 2/4, mardi-gras music from Brazil’s northeast. “Without Memories” is a beautiful bossa-nova, and “Seguindo o Eixo” is a straight-ahead piece in 5/4. The hypnotic ostinato bass line “came up” to the composer while driving through the Eixo, highway that runs through his native Brasília. He immediately wrote the first part but had to wait three years to come up with the bridge. The piece features a superb tenor solo by George Shelby. In “The Birth”, [he] displays amazing acoustic guitar chops. His lyrically stunning performance is an introduction to “Emanuel”, a dazzling ballad in 6/4. Darryll Richards’ flute is sublime. Besides “The Birth”, the guitarist plays harmonies on acoustic guitar in “Emanuel” and “Without Memories”, but could successfully center his next project on his acoustic work. An outstanding Brazilian jazz trio, formed by seasoned pianist Rique Pantoja, bassist Antonio Santanna and drummer Mike Shapiro, joins [him] in most tunes. Percussionist Cassio Duarte is a spicy addition. Bassist Ernest Tibbs and drummer Tim McIntyre come in the straight-ahead pieces.
Patricia Albela – L.A. JAZZ SCENE
His hands know a guitar with intimacy. His ears are tuned to every musical rhythm. When he is playing, [he] shows his professionalism and devotion to music.
Dayane Melo – BRAZIL EXPLORE Magazine
Brazilian guitarist based in Los Angeles, [he] comes with a CD full of good surprises and great songs. With a team of first class musicians – Rique Pantoja (keyboards), Mike Shapiro (drums), George Shelby (sax), Cassio Duarte (percussion), Antonio Santanna (bass), among others – he reinforces the brazilian music tradition and adds a very interesting jazzy language. “Six Brothers” opens the CD with a great groove carrying a very rich and interesting melody played by [him]. You should pay attention to “Emanuel”, specially because of the beautiful flute played by Darryll Richards. “The Birth” brings an acoustic moment by [him] on his nylon strings guitar. “Caí no Frevo” is exciting and full of interesting rhythm figures. It’s worth to check this first solo CD by this brazilian guitarist living abroad, a very balanced work, full of great solos and well crafted melodies. Check it out!
André Martins – COVER GUITARRA Magazine (Brazil)
“…The rhythm section is equally well-matched. Guitarist…proves himself both a solid accompanist and an adept soloist.”
Jeff Janeczko (reviewing the group Klezmer Juice’ CD released in 2005)