1950

Native of Rio de Janeiro, Guinga juggles between two careers - as a songwriter/guitarist and as a dentist. The first recording of his compositions included "Conversa com o Coração" and "Maldição de Ravel", both in collaboration with Paulo César Pinheiro and released on an album by the Brazilian group MPB-4 in 1973. In that same year, the acclaimed samba singer, Clara Nunes, recorded the song "Punhal". In 1979, Elis Regina recorded and included the song "Bolero de Satã" (by Guinga and P.C. Pinheiro) on her album "Elis, Essa Mulher". In the 70’s and 80’s he took part in recordings as a guitarist, and in 1989 he debuted in a gig with Paulo César Pinheiro and Ithamara Koorax.

Guinga is regarded as a virtuoso guitarist and a rare first class composer in the Brazilian music scene. His first album, "Simples e Absurdo", released through Velas in 1991, features illustrious collaborations by Chico Buarque, Leny Andrade, and others. He’s made other three CDs: "Delírio Carioca", in 1993, "Cheio de Dedos", in 1996, and "Suíte Leopoldina", in 1999, whose tracks alternate between instrumental and vocal music. "Suíte Leopoldina" was acclaimed as the best Brazilian Music CD of the year by the critics poll on local newspapers.

After a long-term collaboration with Paulo César Pinheiro, Guinga also worked with the songwriter Aldir Blanc, with whom he wrote all the songs on Leila Pinheiro’s album, "Catavento e Girassol" (1996).