Leo Gandelman

Origin

Rio de Janeiro, RJ

Also known as

Leonardo Gandelman

Years Active

1970

Genres

instrumental, jazz, MPB, concert music

Instruments

saxophone, flute, piano

Biography

Leo Gandelman was born in Rio de Janeiro on August 10, 1956, into a family deeply connected to music, being the son of a piano teacher and a conductor. He began his musical studies very early, playing the piano and recorder at the age of six, and performed as a soloist with the Brazilian Symphony Orchestra at 15. After studying at the Berklee College of Music in the United States, he returned to Brazil in the late 1970s, quickly establishing himself as one of the most sought-after studio musicians in the country and participating in the recording of hundreds of albums.

In 1987, he began his solo career with the release of his self-titled debut album, which featured the hit "A Ilha", composed in partnership with William Magalhães. Throughout his career, Leo has smoothly transitioned between instrumental music, jazz, MPB, and concert music, releasing remarkable records such as Solar, Pérolas Negras, and Sabe Você. In addition to his prolific recording career and international tours, he has also stood out as an arranger, music producer, and composer of soundtracks for film and television, collaborating with major names in Brazilian culture such as Marina Lima, Gal Costa, Rita Lee, and Chico Buarque.

Discography

• Leo Gandelman (1987)
• Ocidente (1988)
• Solar (1990)
• Visões (1991)
• Made In Rio (1993)
• Pérolas Negras (1996)
• Brazilian Soul (1998)
• Sax Driver (1998)
• Leo Gandelman, Sílvio Barbato – Primeiro Brasil Sinfônico (1999)
• Ao Vivo (2002)
• Tico Tico House (2005)
• Lounjazz (2005)
• Radamés e o Sax (2006)
• Sabe Você (2008)
• Anatomy Of Groove (2009)
• Garrincha - Estrela Solitaria (The Lonely Star) (2010)
• Origens (2011)
• Vip Vop (2012)
• Ventos Do Norte (2013)
• Leo Gandelman / Eduardo Farias – Música de Fronteira (2014)
• Velhas Ideias Novas - O Sax da Gafieira ao Sambajazz (2015)
• Yellow Saxmarine (2018)
• Hip Hop Machine Temporada 2 (2023)