One of the leading figures in modern Brazilian music, guitarist/composer/arranger Chico Pinheiro, 34, was born in São Paulo. Self-taught, Pinheiro started playing the guitar and the piano when he was 7 years old.

After starting to perform professionally at age 15, he rounded out his musical education with a stay in Boston, where he received his music degree from Berklee College of Music (Summa cum laude), studying with legendary teachers Mick Goodrick and Hal Crook and winning several academic/ musical prizes there during his studies.

Not only an exceptional guitarist with a wonderful sound and great fluidity, Chico Pinheiro is a unique composer of originality and maturity, qualities that stand out on his solo recordings.

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” . This well-received debut included performances from special guest vocalists Luciana Alves, Lenine, Ed Motta, Chico César, and Maria Rita. 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, a collaboration with the american guitarist and composer Anthony Wilson. Again, enjoyed great critical and audience acclaim.

Today Chico is already a remarkable presence in - and outside the Brazilian music scene, who has distinguished himself as a guitarist, composer and arranger. He has performed and recorded with the "cream of the crop" of Brazilian artists such as Rosa Passos, Chico César, Dori and Danilo Caymmi, João Donato, Johnny Alf, Luciana Souza, César Camargo Mariano,while also making his mark internationally, recording and playing with Dianne Reeves, Bob Mintzer, Roberto Fonseca, Cachaíto Lopez (Buena Vista Social Club), Brad Mehldau, Esperanza Spalding, Fleurine, Mark Turner, Chris Potter, Eddie Gomez, Claudio Roditi, Duduka da Fonseca, Giovani Hidalgo, amongst others.