Fernando Martins
- Origin
- Campos, RJ
- Years Active
- 1966
- Genres
- brazilian jazz, MPB, bossa nova, jazz
- Instruments
- piano
Biography
Fernando Martins is a Brazilian pianist and composer born on April 29, 1941, in Campos, Rio de Janeiro. His musical journey began in childhood, surrounded by classical music from his mother's piano performances. As he moved to the suburbs of Rio de Janeiro, samba became a significant influence, later leading him to embrace popular music and jazz.
By age 17, Martins was already performing at local parties and dances. Despite pursuing a degree in Economics under family pressure, his passion for music was reignited when the musician Luiz Eça heard him playing the piano in Teresópolis and encouraged him to study music formally. He studied under notable figures such as Guerra Peixe, Esther Scliar, and João Carlos Assis Brasil.
In 1966, Martins joined Vitor Assis Brasil's quintet, collaborating with artists like Moacir Silva, Zé Kéti, Paul Winter, and Edison Machado. He also participated in jam sessions at Little Club and Bottles Bar. The following year, he moved to France, where he performed with international jazz musicians such as Slide Hampton, Philly Joe Jones, Hank Mobley, and Joe Henderson, as well as Brazilian guitarist Baden Powell. In Paris, he recorded the album "Trio Camará" with Edu Lobo and Nélson Serra under the label of Pierre Barrouh. He also played with Eddy Louis's quintet, Graham Moncur III's quartet, Christiane Legrand, and the vocal group Les Doubles Six de Paris. Martins also appeared on French television, including a guest spot with Sacha Distel, and performed at festivals in Liege and Munich. With Trio Camará, he toured extensively throughout France.
Returning to Brazil in 1975, Martins began accompanying various MPB singers and contributed to the soundtrack of the film "O Homem do Pau-Brasil." He was part of the "Quarteto 4 de Jazz" with Maurício Einhorn, Paulo Russo, and Paulo Lajão, performing at the Museu de Arte Moderna in Rio de Janeiro and on Rede Globo's "Concertos para a Juventude" television series. He also participated in Projeto Pixinguinha and the São Paulo Jazz Festival in 1978 with Vitor Assis Brasil. Martins has recorded on albums by Vitor Assis Brasil, Hélio Delmiro, and Rildo Hora.