Marcello Gonçalves

Origin

Rio de Janeiro, RJ

Genres

choro, instrumental music, samba, mpb, latin jazz

Instruments

7-string acoustic guitar, violão de sete cordas, guitar

Biography

Marcello Gonçalves is a prominent Brazilian instrumentalist, composer, and master of the seven-string acoustic guitar. Born in Rio de Janeiro, he built a solid academic foundation by earning his bachelor's degree from the Universidade do Rio de Janeiro and his master's and doctoral degrees from the Universidade Federal do Rio de Janeiro, where he also serves on the faculty. Throughout his distinguished career, he has explored traditional Brazilian genres, heavily contributing to the preservation and international dissemination of choro.

As a versatile performer and collaborator, Gonçalves co-founded the acclaimed instrumental ensemble Trio Madeira Brasil alongside Ronaldo do Bandolim and Zé Paulo Becker. He has also worked closely with legendary figures such as Pixinguinha, Garoto, and Heitor Villa-Lobos, while frequently performing and recording with major artists like João Bosco, Ney Matogrosso, Chico Buarque, and Yamandu Costa. His artistic reach extends globally, highlighted by his duo project with clarinetist Anat Cohen, which resulted in critically acclaimed albums such as Outra Coisa—featuring the music of Moacir Santos and earning a Grammy nomination for Best Latin Jazz Album—and Reconvexo.

In addition to his performance work, Gonçalves has made significant contributions as a musical director and producer. He served as the musical director for Mika Kaurismäki's documentary film Brasileirinho and produced works for artists like Valter Silva. His dedication to elevating the seven-string guitar as a solo and ensemble instrument has cemented his legacy as one of the definitive modern masters of Brazilian instrumental music.