CHICO PINHEIRO QUARTET
"Once a jazz prodigy, now a Brazilian guitar legend"
BRAZILIAN GUITAR LEGEND CHICO PINHEIRO OPENS HALF NOTE JAZZ CLUB'S 46TH SEASON
FRIDAY 9 - MONDAY 12 OCTOBER
Half Note Jazz Club opens its doors for its 46th season, continuing a long journey that has established it as a landmark for jazz and live music in Athens.
The new season begins with an artist of international stature: Brazilian guitarist, composer and arranger Chico Pinheiro, a Grammy nominee for two consecutive years, who comes to Greece for the first time with his outstanding quartet. Joining him is Helio Alves, one of New York's leading pianists, who has forged a distinguished career as a bandleader. From Friday 9 to Monday 12 October, Brazilian musical tradition meets jazz and classical music in a season launch befitting the history of Half Note Jazz Club.
Chico Pinheiro was born and raised in São Paulo and showed from an early age that he was destined to excel in music. He began playing guitar at the age of six and was soon recognised as a child prodigy. At just 14, he began working as a session guitarist, first in studios and later on tours with local artists. His reputation quickly spread, and he became increasingly sought after both in Brazil and abroad. In 1994, he received a scholarship to the renowned Berklee College of Music in Boston, graduating with honours in 1998.
In 2002, Chico Pinheiro formed his own band, and the following year released his debut album, Meia Noite Meio Dia. The album received outstanding reviews in Brazil and internationally and was included among the ten best Brazilian albums of the year. The recording also featured distinguished guests Lenine, Ed Motta, Chico César and Maria Rita. His next two albums enjoyed the same enthusiastic reception, while his 2010 album There's a Storm Inside featured the great Dianne Reeves and saxophonist Bob Mintzer. DownBeat, Rolling Stone and many other publications ranked it among the year's finest albums. The recording received an award in the United States for Best Latin Jazz Album of the Year.
Since 2017, Chico Pinheiro has been based in New York. During this period, alongside an acclaimed and ever-growing discography, he has collaborated with an extraordinary roster of artists, including Plácido Domingo, Kathleen Battle, Brad Mehldau, Dianne Reeves, Kurt Elling, Danilo Pérez, Nnenna Freelon, Herbie Hancock, Brian Blade, Ron Carter, Chris Potter, John Patitucci, WDR Big Band, Orpheus Chamber Orchestra, The Paris Jazz Big Band, The Swiss Jazz Orchestra, Esperanza Spalding, Joe Lovano, Luciana Souza, Terri Lyne Carrington, Eddie Gomez, Lee Ritenour, Abraham Laboriel and Cachaíto López of Buena Vista. He was also a member of the renowned all-guitar Seasons Guitar Quartet, alongside Anthony Wilson, Julian Lage and Steve Cardenas.
In 2020 and 2021, Chico Pinheiro received Grammy nominations in the Best Latin Jazz Album category.
For his Athens performances, Pinheiro is joined by the exceptional pianist Helio Alves. Also born in São Paulo, Brazil, Alves combines the rhythmic complexity of contemporary Brazilian music with the vibrant energy of jazz. Based in New York, he has earned acclaim as an in-demand sideman, performing with artists including Joe Henderson, Yo-Yo Ma, Sadao Watanabe, Slide Hampton, Airto Moreira and Flora Purim, Paquito D'Rivera and Romero Lubambo, while also building a significant discography as a bandleader.
For this tour, Chico Pinheiro is joined by two further outstanding musicians: the acclaimed Mathias Allamane on double bass and Rogério Pitomba on drums. The programme will feature original compositions by Chico Pinheiro, including music from his Grammy-nominated album City of Dreams, along with new material and fresh interpretations of Brazilian classics.
From Friday 9 to Monday 12 October, Half Note Jazz Club is delighted to welcome a musician whom the legendary Pat Metheny himself ranks among the world's foremost guitarists: Chico Pinheiro.
CHICO PINHEIRO - guitar
HELIO ALVES - piano
MATHIAS ALLAMANE - bass
ROGÉRIO PITOMBA - drums
www.chicopinheiro.com
INFORMATION
CHICO PINHEIRO QUARTET
FRIDAY 9 - MONDAY 12 OCTOBER
Showtimes: Friday and Saturday at 22:00 | Sunday and Monday at 21:30
Half Note Jazz Club 17 Trivonianou Street, Mets | +30 210 921 3310 | www.halfnote.gr
Ticket prices: from €20
Advance tickets: more.com
Event venue
Half Note Jazz Club, Τριβωνιανού 17, Αθήνα 116 36, Ελλάδα, Athens, Greece
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