João Pedro Brandão

João Pedro Brandão completed his degree in jazz/saxophone at ESMAE (School of Music and Performing Arts in Porto) and studied at Lemmensinstitut (Belgium) with Frank Vaganné, and Dré Palemaerts, among others. He finalized in 2012 is Master degree in Jazz at ESMAE having studied composition with Carlos Azevedo and Paulo Perfeito. During these years he had the opportunity to take classes and workshops with several saxophonists: Mark Turner, Greg Osby, Chris Cheek, Steve Wilson, Bill McHenry, Miguel Zenon, Jaleel Shaw, and with composers Maria Schneider and Jason Lindner. In 2011, he founded the 12 pieces Ensemble CORETO, which released Aljamia, an album with music composed and arranged by himself – released by the label Carimbo Porta-Jazz. This group released Mergulho (2014), a live recorded record Sem Chão (2015), Analog (2021)and A Tribo, with João’s own music. He is currently part of Orquestra Jazz de Matosinhos (OJM) with whom recorded Jazz Composers Forum (2014); Bela Senão Sem with João Paulo Esteves da Silva (2013), Amoras e Framboesas with Maria João (2011), Our Secret World with Kurt Rosenwinkel (2010), Portology with Lee Konitz ande arranger Ohad Talmor (2006). With OJM, he played in several venues in Portugal and Europa, and in NY, at the Blue Note, Birdland and Iridium, as well as the Berklee BeanTown Jazz Festival in Boston). In July 2010 he co-founded the Porta-Jazz Association. This Association created a movement that aims to promote jazz and its musicians in Oporto – organize festivals, regular concerts, Record Label, on-line Radio, Youtube Chanel… (www.portajazz.com).

Photo credit: Susana Neves