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Diego Figueiredo
Diego Figueiredo was born in Franca, Brazil, in 1980, and at the age of 4, he used to strike poses carrying his small guitar. At six, he got a mandolin, which was kept in a very special place in his house. Diego played many instruments before choosing the electric guitar when he was twelve, playing in theaters and local pubs, revealing the great art of improvising and harmonizing. At 15, he conquered theaters and nightclubs in many different Brazilian states, playing solo or with renowned musicians.
For some years he joined different bands, like Banda Gênese and Squema Seis from Brasília, where he lived for a while.
He has studied classical guitar, Brazilian Popular Music and jazz in conservatories in Franca, Ribeirão Preto and Tatuí.
In 1999, he won first place in a contest in South America, when he was awarded a scholarship to study at Berklee College of Music, and when he got all judges amazed with his particular style.
In June 2001, Diego Figueiredo conquered second place in VISA Prize of Instrumental Brazilian Popular Music, receiving high praise from the judges.
He was finalist for the ICATU HARTFORD Prize in Rio de Janeiro and was praised by the judges.
Nowadays he accompanies the singer and songwriter Belchior in tours around Brazil and abroad. He has played and shared the stage with , Hermeto Paschoal, Geraldo Azevedo, Sebastião Tapajós, Demônios da Garoa, Vanusa, Renato Borghetti, Osvaldo Montenegro, Jair Rodrigues, Elomar, Toquinho, Tunai, Paulinho da Viola, Nando Cordel, Moraes Moreira, Fafá de Belém, Amelinha, Los Hermanos, Zeca Baleiro, Miyazawa and others.
Besides being a guitar player, Diego is a producer, arranger, orchestrator, multi-instrumentalist and has recently produced and arranged the double album “As várias caras de Drummond” for which Belchior wrote the music for Drummond´s poems, and which was released in CARAS magazine.
In performances around Europe, mainly in Germany, Diego impressed with his technique and sensitivity performing at the University of Berlin, at Quasimodo (where he shared the stage with John Scofield and Yellowjackets) and at the Brazilian Embassy. For ten years, Diego has performed at La Paz Festijazz, held in Bolivia. Diego was invited by the Symphonic Orchestra of La Paz to take part in the recordings of a CD and a DVD and to perform in some concerts to honor Tom Jobim, entitled Jobim de los Andes.
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Diego Figueiredo: Follow the Signs
by Edward Blanco
Grammy-nominated Brazilian guitarist Diego Figueiredo is considered to be one of the finest acoustic guitarists in the world. A classically-trained musician influenced by Brazilian masters Joao Gilberto and Baden Powell, he has also integrated the styles of American guitarists George Benson, Pat Metheny and the great Joe Pass into his playing. Figueiredo has recorded almost thirty albums to date. Accompanying the guitarist here are fellow countrymen percussionist Marcilio Garcetti and bassist Eduardo Machado aided by a five-piece string ...
read moreDiego Figuieredo: Follow the Signs
by Jack Bowers
Latin allure, anyone? Follow the Signs is a wonderful salute by guitarist Diego Figueiredo to the sunny and rhythmic music of Brazil, comprising an album of themes much like those he came of age listening to in his hometown of Franca, about four hours north of Sao Paulo. To carry out his plan, Figueiredo amplifies his core trio (bassist Eduardo Machada, percussionist Marcilio Garcetti) with a string quintet on most numbers to help underscore his melodious frame of mind.
read moreThe Art Of The Duo Personified
Source:
Ken Franckling's Jazz Notes
The jazz duo is the ultimate musical challenge. With just two musicians on stage, there is no coasting allowed. You're either doubling on the melody, listening intently to anticipate how to respond to the other player's solo, comping behind him—or all of the above. That fine art was in the spotlight at the 42nd edition of the Sarasota Jazz Festival on Friday, March 17 in the hands of pianist Dick Hyman and Brazilian guitarist Diego Figueiredo. Their musical conversation belied ...
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The joy of jazz guitar
Source:
Ken Franckling's Jazz Notes
Brazilian guitarist Diego Figueiredo considers Southwest Florida his home away from home when he's not touring the world. He was happy to be back on Sunday, November 14, after the pandemic lockdown stymied his touring for more than a year. Figueriedo performed a matinee solo concert in Venice FL in the Jazz With Morrie performance series, in advance of his three nights of performances next weekend at the Suncoast Jazz Festival in Clearwater. It's a pleasure to be back performing ...
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Guitar mastery on full display for jazz fans
Source:
Ken Franckling's Jazz Notes
Diego Figueiredo's Brazilian guitar artistry will make your jaw drop. His nylon-stringed acoustic guitar is merely the vessel for astonishing sounds that come out of his musical psyche, delivered by unusual blends of technique and fingerings. Such was the case at Saturday, April 1's sold-out show at the Fogartyville Community Media and Arts Center in Sarasota FL. As you absorb the exotic sound, you also notice the fingers themselves. All five nails on his right hand are substantially longer than ...
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