João Ferraz

Under the influence of clube da esquina and bossa nova, João began playing the acoustic guitar at the age of twelve and electric guitar at fifteen, playing all kinds of music, from rock to samba. Ferraz lived for four years in USA studying music at Berklee College of Music and in 2005 he was invited by a friend to live in Rio de Janeiro to produce music. João and his partner created the production house Lontra Music, where he works as guitar player, producer and arranjer.
His first album, SAPO was born while João was living overseas, but its debut only ocurred at the begin of 2007 in Brazil. Right at its release, the album received top stars at Globo, the biggest brazilian newspaper, Joao and his group where at the cover of Estado de Minas newspaper , the biggest of Minas Gerais, being considered the new generation of musicians from Minas like Milton Nascimento and Toninho Horta. The album was also claimed by the Canadians at the jazzwolrdquest.com. “an exuberant and elegant fusion of brazilian rhythms with modern jazz sounds. João Ferraz harmonies are reminscent of Toninho Horta´s sonorities and the album is recommended for those who want to hear what´s new and criative in the actual Brazilian music”.
For 2007, besides touring throught Brazil,  João is preparing his second álbum (to be released in 2008), alongside with his partners, Rike frainer on drums, Marcelo Penner on bass, Marco Tomaso on electric piano, Yuri Villar at the soprano sax, Fael Mondego on percussion and vocals and Marcela Velon on vocals. The album will also feature some fine guests from Brasil like Gabriel Grossi at the Harmonica, Vittor Santos on trombone, Sidinho Moreira on percussion,  Joana Queiroz on clarinet,  among others.

Rike Frainer, drums
Was born in Santa Catarina, south of Brazil. In 1999 , Rike was classified at the Batuka percussion festival of Sao Paulo among the 10 best drummers of Brazil. In 2000 he earned a scolarship to attend Berklee College of Music. At Boston he played alongside drummers like Mike Mangini, Kenwood Dennard amog others. Back to Brazil, he´s been working with many brazilian music artists, besides the Joao Ferraz Group.
Marcelo Pener Falcão, upright bass
Began playing professionaly at the age of 18. In 2003 he attended the 5 weeks course at Berklee, playing at the Tiger Okoshi ensemble with the best students of the summer course. Nowadays he´s coursing composition at the Federal University in Rio, and besides playing with brazilian music artists and the Joao Ferraz Group, Marcelo is an orquestra and chamber music bassist.
Marco Tommaso, piano
Was born in 1970. Marco plays the piano since 16 and has shared the stage with names like Paulo Moura, Claudete Soares, Robertiho Silva, Marcio Montarroyos among others.
Marcela Velon, voice
Was born in 1981. Began singing professionaly at the age of 17. Played for four years at the Itiberê Zwarg orquestra and graduated in brazilian popular music  majoring in arranging in 2007, at the Federal University, UNI-RIO. Besides the Joao Ferraz Group, she plays at the Agua Viva instrumetal music group.
Yuri Villar, soprano saxophone
Was born in 1982. Began playing the violin at the age of 8 and moved to sax at 15. He´s graduated at Federal University of Rio, majoring in saxophone performance. Besides the Joao Ferraz group he plays at the Itiberê Zwarg orquestra and various samba groups in Rio.
Fael Mondego, percussion and voice
Was born in 1980. Sings professionaly since 16, playing with bands like Black Rio.