Leandro Lehart

Origin

São Paulo, SP

Genres

samba, pagode, soul, mpb, brazilian pop music

Instruments

vocals, percussion, guitar, multi-instrumentalist

Biography

Leandro Lehart, born Paulo Leandro Fernandes Soares in São Paulo, is a prominent Brazilian singer, songwriter, multi-instrumentalist, producer, and arranger. Growing up in a musically inclined family with deep roots in traditional serenades and choro, he emerged as a child prodigy who was teaching music from his own bedroom by the age of sixteen. His distinctive style combined the traditional sounds of fundo de quintal samba with contemporary urban influences like black music, hip hop, and soul.

In 1990, he founded Art Popular, one of the country's most successful samba groups, achieving massive commercial success and selling millions of records. Alongside his work with the band, he pursued a multifaceted career as a solo artist and cultural activist, releasing solo projects such as Solo and Sambadelik. His creative output also extended to scoring soundtracks, directing documentary films, and setting a Guinness World Record by conducting the largest percussion ensemble in history during a cultural festival in São Paulo.

Throughout his career, Lehart has collaborated with and crossed paths with numerous legendary figures of Brazilian music, including Eliana, Max de Castro, Leci Brandão, and Xande de Pilares. He has consistently used his platform for social causes, organizing charity events for children's cancer hospitals and environmental initiatives. His enduring influence on samba, pagode, and Brazilian popular music cements his legacy as one of the genre's most prolific and recognized modern composers.