Ricardo Herz

Origin

São Paulo, SP

Years active

2004

Genres

choro, MPB, forró, Brazilian rhythms, instrumental, jazz

Instruments

violin, rabeca

Biography

Ricardo Herz is a Brazilian violinist, composer, and arranger born in São Paulo in 1978. He has forged a distinctive path in Brazilian music, blending classical training with jazz studies at Berklee College of Music and the Centre des Musiques Didier Lockwood in Paris. His unique style draws inspiration from the rabeca (a traditional Brazilian folk fiddle), the phrasing of choro, and the expressive pulse of the accordion, transforming the violin into a versatile instrument capable of rhythm, melody, and contemporary improvisation.

Herz's career gained significant momentum after winning the popular jury at the Visa Prize for Brazilian Music in 2004. He has since released several solo albums and collaborated with a wide array of prominent Brazilian artists, including Yamandu Costa, Hamilton de Holanda, Nelson Ayres, Dominguinhos, and Proveta. His work often explores Brazilian rhythms such as baião, maracatu, frevo, xote, and coco, infused with jazz improvisation and a contemporary compositional approach.

Beyond his solo endeavors and collaborations, Herz has led and performed with various ensembles, including the Ricardo Herz Trio, which explores Brazilian instrumental music with a jazzistic take. He has also been involved in projects like "Arcos Brasileiros" with French violinist Vanille Goovaerts, and has a dedicated focus on music education, offering workshops and online courses to promote the Brazilian violin. His music has garnered international acclaim, with performances at festivals worldwide, solidifying his reputation as a key figure in the evolution of the Brazilian violin.