Flávio Mendes

Origin

Petrópolis, RJ

Genres

mpb, bossa nova

Instruments

guitar, classical guitar, keyboards, vocals

Biography

Flávio Mendes is a prominent Brazilian classical and popular musician, born in Petrópolis on December 9, 1970. Working primarily as a classical guitarist, acoustic guitarist, arranger, and producer, he has left a significant mark on the contemporary MPB scene. Over the decades, he studied at the Escola de Música de Brasília and CIGAM, later expanding his academic pursuits with a master's degree in music at UNIRIO.

Throughout his career, Mendes has collaborated with numerous iconic Brazilian artists. In 1995, he joined the vocal group Equale as a tenor and arranger, and he later became a producer and arranger for the Albatroz Discos label, working with legends like Leny Andrade, Zezé Motta, and Roberto Menescal. His versatility as a guitarist also led him to join the renowned bossa nova group Bossacucanova as a guest musician starting in 2001.

In addition to his studio and performance work, Mendes has served as musical director and conductor for celebrated stage productions, most notably directing and arranging shows for the legendary performer Bibi Ferreira. He also maintains a close artistic partnership with Danilo Caymmi, producing albums and conducting international shows. Beyond his practical contributions to music, he shares his expertise through his educational YouTube channel, "O ARRANJO," and has written chapters for books exploring landmark Brazilian albums.