Early days...

I was born in September 11th of 1971, in Santos/SP - Brazil, and had my first music lessons in school, 3rd grade, when I've learned basic theory and flute. Although I was always very interested in music (my parents often tell me that, as a little kid, I used to conduct imaginary orchestras in front of the TV and Radio...), it wasn't until I was 12 when first I picked up an acoustic guitar, and then the electric guitar a little later.

The 'impulse' that led me to play the guitar was heavy-metal (Iron Maiden, Def Leppard, AC/DC...). Although I had a few lessons with different local teachers, I've developed most of my playing alone during that time. From 1985 to 1990, I've worked with different rock bands of both original and cover material, and played a few gigs with them around town.

As the 80’s were gone, my musical identity also started going through natural changes. Bands like Triumph, Foreigner, Queen, Journey, Supertramp, Toto, The Police, Boston, and artists such as Steve Winwood, Sting, Phil Collins, Don Henley, Christopher Cross and Bruce Hornsby took the place where Metal used to be in my ‘musical childhood’. And, as childhood and teenage were gone, a need to make a living out of music was here. A new cycle starts...

Professional start...

After having my Computer Science High School graduation in 1988, I went to the Music University of Santos/SP, where I studied classical guitar, ear training, theory and other music fundamentals. Along with the classical training, I took lessons of improvisation in Jazz and Blues for one year with guitarist Alexandre Birkett. This period was also favorable to get to know a lot of new styles of music, and my songwriting process also began to take new shape. The beautiful singing guitar of Larry Carlton and Eric Johnson, the smooth jazz of Dave koz and Chris Botti, the magical acoustic guitar playing of Will Ackerman, Alex DeGrassi and Michael Hedges...all these artists were and still are major influences on my writing and playing.

My professional activities have begun in 1991, when I started working as a music teacher in local schools and also teaching for private students (I only stopped teaching in 1998 when I became an independent recording solo artist). The teaching job was followed by a sequence of musical experiences: From 1991 to 1994, I worked with a progressive rock trio called ‘Merlin’, with whom I’ve played several gigs around town and also recorded a single; I’ve also worked with lots of different bands/musicians in the local night club scenario, performing lots of Brazilian music, pop rock and other different styles. I’ve played those gigs regularly until 1998. The last time I played a live gig as a sideman was in July of 2000.

Solo career...

In 1994, I made my first effort as a solo artist: a demotape called “Souvenir”, with 15 original instrumental songs (some of them were re-arranged and then re-recorded on my subsequent albums). The tape got the attention of Guitar Player Magazine editors (Brazilian Edition), and I was featured in their “Spotlight” Column in March of 1996. Other Brazilian magazines were also positive about my music. Soon after that, I performed at 1995’ Expomusic Brazil, in São Paulo, in the stand of Fender Equipment.

The acceptance I had with those reviews gave me the confidence and opportunity I needed to make my first record. In 1997, I moved to São Paulo to start the recordings of “Suddenly”,  at Creative Sound Studio. In addiction to the 11 instrumental tracks, the album (which was released in 1998) also has “Another Night Gets Longer”, a song featuring singers Cristopher Clark, Edu Falaschi and André Matos. Along with the positive reviews from magazines and websites from all over the world (check the ‘Press’ section), I also conquered positive comments from renowned musicians like Dave Koz and Rik Emmett. With this album, it was clear that I had an identity with instrumental music focused on melody. Dan McAvinchey, from Guitar Nine Records in USA, describes: “...Rodrigo can express moods and emotions with relative ease...”.

Changes and Discoveries...

One year after the release of “Suddenly”, I had the opportunity to build my own recording studio, the “R.A.Studio”. It was initially conceived only for my own projects, but the demand to record and produce local bands and artists was increasing fast, and I soon found myself busy. With the studio activities running full time, I quitted my jobs both as a teacher (hopefully I will teach again someday...) and as a sideman in nightclubs (I definitely don’t miss the dark, smoky rooms) to fully dedicate myself as a studio producer and independent solo artist.

Having a new home (also literally) and a new life, I also found myself re-discovering the gems of Brazilian Music, mainly the “Corner Club”: Flávio Venturni, Lô Borges, Beto Guedes, Toninho Horta, Milton Nascimento , 14Bis, and others like Léo Gandelman, Guinga, Egberto Gismonte and Ricardo Silveira.

Looking back at all of it, I believe these changes played a major role in the development of the next album.  With a stronger approach on acoustic guitar playing, I wrote and produced all the material for my second solo release. “Retratos” came out in october of 2001. In same period, I also recorded a version of Santana’s “Love Is You”, for a tribute CD released by Progressive Arts Music, in USA.

The release was followed by a sequence of local live gigs and small shows in other towns around. In companion of Fábio Ferreira on bass and Sérgio Lagarto on drums, I shared the stage with artists such as Arthur Maia, and also performed at the annual Rock in Concert Festival, in São Paulo. Some songs, like “Cinza Ao Entardecer”, have being aired on Radio Stations in different places such as Australia, Italy, USA and, of course, Brazil.

Current scenario...

With a different focus – this time on New Age and Classical Music, and also consolidating my identity as an acoustic guitar player, in 2006 I’ll be releasing my third solo CD, “Spiritua” (“Spiritual”, in Latin).

Experimenting both standard and alternative guitar tunings, the album shows a collection of 10 acoustic guitar pieces.

As for the future...my expectations are to keep working at the studio, and keep writing songs and making new records. At the meantime, I feel blessed and grateful for the opportunities I have had so far, and hope to keep sharing my music with all of you.

I hope you’ll enjoy the rest of the site. Please visit this place often and check our updates, news, and schedules.

See you all very soon...

 R.A.