James Liberato

Origin

Porto Alegre, RS

Years Active

1979

Genres

jazz, instrumental music, brazilian music, choro, samba, baião, fusion

Instruments

guitar, bass, acoustic guitar, electric guitar

Biography

James Liberato is a Brazilian instrumentalist, composer, and arranger with a career spanning over four decades. Born in Porto Alegre, Rio Grande do Sul, he began his musical studies at age 13 and was already teaching guitar by 15. Liberato's professional career kicked off in 1979, performing in various popular music groups throughout the 1980s in Porto Alegre's music scene.

In the 1990s, Liberato shifted his focus to composition and arrangement, leading to the creation of his solo projects. His album "Off Road" (1995) received critical acclaim and the Prêmio Açorianos de Música. He continued to explore instrumental music with "Sons do Brasil e do Mundo" (1998) and "Sotaque Brasil" (2005), showcasing a blend of Brazilian rhythms with jazz influences.

Liberato's most recent work includes "Manacô" (2020), which earned him the Prêmio Açorianos de Música for Best Instrumental Composer. This album further solidified his reputation for fusing Brazilian and South American sounds with his characteristic jazz style. He has also delved into reinterpreting the works of other composers, such as Raul Boeira, maintaining his unique instrumental approach. Liberato has been recognized with four Prêmio Açorianos de Música awards throughout his career.