Natalie Cressman & Ian Faquini Master Class: The Music of Guinga

A Special Pre-show Master Class: The Music of Guinga

October 10th, 2025 5:00pm in the Jazz Cave at the Nashville Jazz Workshop

Guinga (Carlos Althier de Souza Lemos Escobar) is one of Brazil's foremost composers and a virtuoso guitarist. Not so well known in the U.S., he's revered in Brazil – ask Brazil's leading musicians who their favorite artist is, and chances are you'll hear “Guinga.” Of him the legendary Hermeto Pascoal said: “Such a musician only appears once in a hundred years.”

With a career spanning over 50 years, Guinga has written and recorded with the likes of Ivan Lins, Paulo Cesar Pinheiro, Elis Regina, Cartola, and the list goes on and on. His musical palette, while uniquely personal, covers a wide range of styles – in his songs you can hear influences from Debussy to Ellington.

Natalie and Ian have been close friends and musical associates of Guinga for many years and are perhaps the best qualified of any North American artists to talk about and demonstrate the music of this legendary Brazilian composer. They recorded with him on their 2024 CD, "Guinga." Ian is a longtime guitar protegé of Guinga, and may be the best person (outside of Guinga himself) to demonstrate his unique guitar style.

Join Natalie and Ian for this exciting master class and take this unique opportunity to learn about the music of this Brazilian master! The class is free to attend, with a $10 minimum donation recommended.

Host or Publisher Nashville Jazz Workshop