Guinga, born Carlos Althier de Souza Lemos Escobar in a working-class suburb of Rio, is the Grammy-nominated guitarist of whom the Brazilian giant of giants Hermeto Pascoal says: “Such a musician only appears once in a hundred years.”
Guinga began composing at the age of sixteen and studied classical guitar under Jodacil Damasceno. He began his professional career in the 70s accompanying singers such as Beth Carvalho and recorded with samba legends such as Cartola and Clara Nunes.
Guinga also wrote songs together with the poet Paulo Cesar Pinheiro, songs that were recorded by artists such as Elis Regina, Miúcha and Michel Legrand.
Guinga is known for drawing inspiration for his music from a range of different genres: choro, samba, baião, frevo, blues, jazz and western classical music. With nearly twenty albums behind him, Guinga was nominated for the Latin Grammy for best instrumental album in 2012 together with the woodwind quintet Quinteto Villa-Lobos.
In 2015, Guinga made a success during Ystad’s jazz festival together with the singer Maria João. Now this Brazilian giant is finally coming to jazz club Fasching for a solo concert.
