Guinga

Guitarist and composer Guinga is a popular songwriter in Brazil: his songs have been recorded by the likes of superstar Elis Regina and he's a favorite of musicians around the world like Michel Legrand and Sergio Mendes. But Guinga is less well-known in the U.S. (he rarely comes here to perform), and considering his successful five-decade career, he's an unusually modest musician.

Guinga's full name is Carlos Althier de Souza Lemos Escobar. He grew-up in a working-class suburb of Rio de Janeiro and his uncle taught him how to play the guitar when he was 11. At home, he heard Italian Bel canto, Brazilian and American music on his parents' Victrola. As a guitarist, he began his career accompanying Clara Nunes, Beth Carvalho, Alaíde Costa, João Nogueira, and Cartola. Many of his songs were recorded by acclaimed artists such as Elis Regina, Michel Legrand, Sergio Mendes, Chico Buarque, Miúcha, Ivan Lins, Leila Pinheiro, Fátima Guedes, Mônica Salmaso, and Hamilton de Holanda. He has collaborated with lyricists such as Paulo Cesar Pinheiro, Aldir Blanc, Chico Buarque, Nei Lopes, Sergio Natureza, Nelson Motta, José Miguel Wisnik, Simone Guimarães, Francisco Bosco, Mauro Aguiar, and Thiago Amud, among others.

In this show Guinga will sing and play his original music. The Brazilian singer and songwriter Anna Paes and Natalie Cressman (on triombone and vocals) will be his special guests.