Chico Pinheiro Quartet

"An exceptional guitarist with a wonderful sound and great fluidity, a unique composer of originality and maturity."

Born and raised in São Paulo, Brazil, Chico Pinheiro started playing the guitar when he was 6. A self taught musician at the time, he started working as studio session player when he was 14 yo, and soon began to be called to collaborate with a wide range of artists in his hometown, then in Brazil, then abroad. In 2002 Chico puts together a band of his own and starts recording as leader. His first album 'Meia Noite Meio Dia' (Sony Music/ 2003) was released in 2003 with great reviews at all the most important newspapers and music magazines in Brazil and abroad, and was included in the 'Top 10 Brazilian albums of the year' in the major newspapers of Brazil: 'O Estado de São Paulo' , 'A Folha de São Paulo' and 'O Globo' - Chico is elected "the instrumentalist of the Year" in Brazil, by Veja Magazine (the Brazilian Times Magazine).

His second release, 'Chico Pinheiro' (Biscoito Fino/ 2005) enjoyed great critical and audience acclaim, once more being included in the 'Top 10 Brazilian albums of the year' by newspapers 'O Estado', 'O Globo' and 'Folha de São Paulo'.

The third album, NOVA , was released in dec/ 2007 in collaboration with the american guitarist and composer Anthony Wilson . It was, again, celebrated by critic and audience.

His fourth album, There's a Storm Inside (CT Music Japan/ Sunnyside Records, NY, 2010) was released in 35 countries. It includes guests such as Dianne Reeves and Bob Mintzer, and was featured on the Downbeat, Revista Veja, O Estado de São Paulo, Folha de São Paulo, Jornal O GLOBO and Revista Rolling Stone among the 'best albuns of the year'. This record also won prizes as Best Brazilian Jazz Álbum of the year and Best Latin Jazz Composition of 2010 with 'Mamulengo', in the Latin Jazz Corner Association, USA. Chico also won as Best Latin Jazz Guitarist, in the same association, and Veja Magazine elects Chico Pinheiro Group as the Concert of The Year in Brazil. In 2012 he released the CD 'TRIZ', in partnership with the pianist and composer André Mehmari and singer and composer Sergio Santos. The album received highly favorable reviews and was also listed among the best albums of the year. Meanwhile, Chico was elected as one of the "RISING STAR - Guitar" by The DOWNBEAT Magazine - Annual Critics Poll list, along with Julian Lage, Peter Bernstein and Adam Rogers.

In 2017 Chico releases "Varanda", a special collaboration project that again was included as 'best of the year' in all major papers and magazines in Brazil and abroad. His composition "Varanda" is recorded by Vince Mendoza and the WDR Big Band on the Project "Focus on Brazil", along with Milton Nascimento, Edu Lobo, Gilberto Gil, Antonio Carlos Jobim and Villa Lobos.

In 2017 Chico releases "Varanda", a special collaboration project that again was included as 'best of the year' in all major papers and magazines in Brazil and abroad. His composition "Varanda" is recorded by Vince Mendoza and the WDR Big Band on the Project "Focus on Brazil", along with Milton Nascimento, Edu Lobo, Gilberto Gil, Antonio Carlos Jobim and Villa Lobos.

Besides his main work with his own Group, he has collaborated with artists such as Placido Domingo, Dianne Reeves, Brad Mehldau, Esperanza Spalding, Nnenna Freelon, Bob Mintzer, The Orpheus Chamber Orchestra, Bob Mintzer Big Band, The Paris Jazz Big Band, The Swiss Jazz Orchestra, The Danish Radio Big Band, Orquestra Jazz Sinfônica, Orquestra Jazz Amazonas, Orquestra Jovem Tom Jobim, Sinfônica de Heliópolis, Eumir Deodato, Joyce, Ivan Lins, Rosa Passos, Dori Caymmi, Danilo Caymmi, João Donato, Johnny Alf, César Camargo Mariano, Luciana Souza, Chico César, The Seasons Guitar Quartet, Sammy Figueroa, Cachaíto Lopez (Buena Vista Social Club), Mark Turner, Chris Potter, Eddie Gomez, Claudio Roditi, John Patitucci, Giovani Hidalgo, amongst many others.