Cléber Alves

Origin

Sete Lagoas, MG

Also known as

Cléber José Bernardes Alves

Years Active

1988

Genres

jazz, MPB, música instrumental brasileira, samba jazz, bossa nova

Instruments

saxophone, composer, arranger

Biography

Cléber Alves, born in Sete Lagoas, Minas Gerais, is a prominent Brazilian saxophonist, composer, arranger, and music professor. He began his musical studies in Belo Horizonte, under the tutelage of renowned musicians Nivaldo Ornelas and Paulo Moura. A significant portion of his artistic development occurred during his decade-long residence in Germany, from 1989 to 1998. During this period, he pursued his higher education, earning a Bachelor's degree in Music with a specialization in saxophone from the Musikhochschule Stuttgart, followed by a Master's degree in Jazz and Popular Music, also at Musikhochschule Stuttgart. His academic work included a dissertation titled "Brasilianische Rhythmusschule" (Brazilian Rhythm School).

Upon returning to Brazil, Alves continued to build his career, releasing several albums that showcase his creative blend of jazz and Brazilian music. His discography includes "Brazilian Jazz Temperado" (1998), "Revinda" (2005), "Ventos do Brasil" (2011), and "Cléber Alves Quarteto ao Vivo no Bird's Eye" (2017). He has performed in jazz festivals across Germany and in various European countries, as well as in Brazil. Alves is also recognized for his academic contributions, currently serving as a professor of saxophone and improvisation at the Music School of the Federal University of Minas Gerais (UFMG).

Alves's music often features a creative fusion of impeccable technique, tasteful interpretations, and rich original compositions. He has also delved into academic research, completing a Doctorate in Popular Music with a focus on "Paulo Moura and Bossa Nova: Analyses and reflections on interpretive practices and arrangements (1968-1969)". His work frequently incorporates influences from Brazilian musical traditions, such as samba and choro, alongside jazz standards. He has collaborated with and been influenced by notable Brazilian artists, including Paulo Moura and Milton Nascimento.