Rick Ferreira

Origin

Rio de Janeiro, RJ

Years active

1960s

Genres

rock, mpb, jovem guarda, folk rock

Instruments

guitar, acoustic guitar, piano, banjo, pedal steel guitar, keyboards

Biography

Rick Ferreira is a renowned Brazilian musician, producer, arranger, and composer, born in Rio de Janeiro on May 14, 1953. He is widely recognized as a pioneering instrumentalist in Brazil, being the first to incorporate the five-string banjo and pedal steel guitar into national recording sessions. Throughout his extensive career, he has collaborated with an extraordinarily diverse array of major Brazilian artists, leaving a permanent mark on the country's musical landscape.

He is best known for his long-standing partnership with rock icon Raul Seixas, serving as his primary guitarist and trusted collaborator across numerous albums starting from 1974's Gita. In addition to his defining work with Raul Seixas, Ferreira spent over three decades as the lead guitarist and musical director for Jovem Guarda legend Erasmo Carlos, while also recording and touring extensively with other prominent figures like Zé Ramalho, Belchior, and Guilherme Arantes. His versatility has allowed him to cross musical boundaries seamlessly, contributing to projects ranging from classic rock and MPB to modern rock acts like Pitty.

Aside from his session work, Ferreira pursued a solo career, releasing his debut solo album Porta das Maravilhas in 1976 after initially issuing a successful single featuring his collaboration with Paulo Coelho. Despite facing health challenges later in life, including recovering from a cerebral ischemia in 2009, he remains an active and deeply respected figure in Brazilian popular music. His enduring contributions to the electric guitar and roots instrumentation continue to inspire generations of musicians across the country.