Chico Pinheiro
guitar
Guitarist, composer, and arranger Chico Pinheiro was born and raised in São Paulo, Brazil, where he started playing the guitar at age six. At 14, he began working as a studio session guitarist and soon began collaborating with artists in Brazil and abroad. He has been nominated twice for the American Grammy Awards (2019, 2020) and listed three times as “Rising Star - Guitar” in DownBeat’s Annual Critics Poll.
Pinheiro’s debut album, Meia Noite Meio Dia (Sony Music, 2003), and second release, Chico Pinheiro (Biscoito Fino, 2005), received critical acclaim and were listed among the “Top 10 Brazilian albums of the year” in the Brazilian newspapers O Estado de São Paulo, A Folha de São Paulo, and O Globo. His third album, NOVA (2007), was a collaboration with American guitarist and composer Anthony Wilson. His fourth album, There’s a Storm Inside (CT Music Japan/Sunnyside Records, NY, 2010), was named among the “Best Albums of the Year” by DownBeat, Revista Rolling Stone, and numerous Brazilian newspapers and it won “Best Brazilian Jazz Album” and “Best Latin Jazz Composition” that year from the Latin Jazz Corner Association (U.S.), which also named him “Best Latin Jazz Guitarist.” Other recordings include TRIZ (2012) with pianist André Mehmari and singer Sergio Santos, and Varanda (2017), which was included in “best of the year” lists by major newspapers and magazines in Brazil
and abroad.
In addition to his projects as a leader, Pinheiro has collaborated with numerous artists, including Plácido Domingo, Kathleen Battle, Brad Mehldau, Dave Grusin, Kenny Werner, Dianne Reeves, Kurt Elling, Danilo Pérez, Nnenna Freelon, Bob Mintzer, Herbie Hancock, Brian Blade (IJD), Ron Carter, Chris Potter, John Patitucci, Esperanza Spalding, Joyce, Ivan Lins, Rosa Passos, Dori Caymmi, Danilo Caymmi, João Donato, Chico César, Ed Motta, César Camargo Mariano, Elza Soares, Mark Turner, Tom Scott, Joe Lovano, Luciana Souza, Terri Lyne Carrington, Eddie Gomez, and Gary Novak, among others. He has also worked with many ensembles, including the Orpheus Chamber Orchestra, Israel Chamber Orchestra, Bob Mintzer Big Band, Paris Jazz Big Band, Swiss Jazz Orchestra, and the Danish Radio Big Band.