Nando Duarte

Nando Duarte (Fernando Viveiros de Castro Duarte), a Rio de Janeiro native, started his musical career at a young age playing electric guitar on tour with pop bands in Brazil. Moving to the seven-string acoustic guitar he became one of the catalysts of Brazil's popular music re-awaking with Dino 7 cordas as his mentor and Luiz Otávio Braga, Hélio Delmiro among others as his professors. His career as a seven-string guitarist led him to play, arrange, and produce the biggest names in Brazilian music, including Elza Soares, Gal Costa, Zélia Duncan, João Bosco, Nicolas Krassik, Yamandú Costa, Martnália, Moska, Maria Gadú, Adriana Calcanhoto, Walter Alfaiate, Zeca Pagodinho, Soraya Ravenle, Joyce Moreno, Marisa Monte, Ney Matogrosso, Diogo Nogueira, among others. Nando's quite and gentle manner and capacity to lead large ensembles led him to branch out to arrangements and musical direction for on-stage musicals and shows. His continues work in the growing Musical scene in Brazil warranted him numerous prizes and recognition. His work includes; "Oui, oui, a França é aqui!" (2009) (nominated for best musical direction Shell award) "Samba Futebol Clube" (2014) (winner of Shell Award for best Musical Direction and the APTR for best Musical), "Sambra" (2015) with Diogo Nogueira was the first Musical ever to be presented on stage at Rio de Janeiro's New Year's Eve party on Copacabana beach with over 2 million people. He was also the musical director for the "One Year to Go" Olympic show, the only pre-showcase show for the Rio de Janeiro 2016 Olympics. His most recent work includes composing for movie, TV, advertising and recording with artists like Empire of the Sun and Melody Gardot.