Rafael Vernet

Origin

Bagé, RS

Years active

1980s

Genres

mpb, jazz, instrumental music

Instruments

piano, fender rhodes

Biography

Rafael Vernet is a renowned Brazilian pianist, arranger, and music producer, born in Bagé, Rio Grande do Sul. His musical training began with classical piano studies in childhood, culminating in awards at regional and national competitions. In the 1980s, he moved to Porto Alegre, where he began his artistic career in the popular music scene, performing in various groups and accompanying artists from Rio Grande do Sul. In the early 1990s, he relocated to Rio de Janeiro, establishing himself as one of the most prestigious musicians of his generation.

Vernet is known for his versatility and deep musicality, moving masterfully between genres such as MPB, jazz, and instrumental music. His career is marked by collaborations with some of the biggest names in Brazilian music, including Hermeto Pascoal, Chico Buarque, Ed Motta, Joyce Moreno, Toninho Horta, Lô Borges, Paula Santoro, and Adriana Calcanhotto, among many others. He has participated in numerous national and international tours, performing at major clubs and jazz festivals around the world.

In addition to his career as a performer and arranger, Rafael Vernet also stands out as a music producer and educator, teaching classes and workshops throughout Brazil. His long-standing partnership with singer Paula Santoro is especially notable, having developed a unique musical language where voice and piano converse organically. Vernet maintains an original body of work focused on instrumental music and is widely recognized as a reference on his instrument.