Ricardo Peixoto, a guitarist, composer, and arranger, was born in Rio de Janeiro. He later settled in San Francisco Bay Area with a scholarship from Boston’s Berklee College of Music. His original and fluid musical approach to Brazilian guitar places him among the best in America today. Ricardo is an improviser and composer who has a unique style that evokes images beyond Brazil. Ricardo is a composer who has been deeply influenced by both Brazilian and jazz music traditions. He continues to explore Brazil’s rich melodies and sophisticated harmonies while also incorporating jazz’s freedom and improvisational approach. Ricardo has performed and recorded with Flora Purim, Airto, Claudia Villela and Flora Purim, as well as percussionists Dom Um Romao and Spok. His compositions were featured on “Inverse Universe”, with Claudia Villela as vocalist, and “Kindness of Strangers,” with Terra Sul. They also appeared on Bud Shank’s song “Tomorrow’s Rainbow” and the Berkeley Choro Ensemble’s song “The View From Here”. He has performed all over the US, Europe and Canada as well as Japan, Japan, Canada, Japan, and Brazil. Ricardo is a teacher at the California Jazz Conservatory. He has also served as an instructor at Jazz Camp West, California Brazil Camp and Jazz Camp West. from www.ricardopeixoto.com
