Salomão Soares

Origin

Cruz do Espírito Santo, PB

Years active

2017

Genres

brazilian jazz, contemporary jazz, instrumental music, mpb

Instruments

piano, keyboard

Biography

Salomão Soares is a Brazilian pianist, arranger, and composer hailing from Cruz do Espírito Santo, in the state of Paraíba. His musical journey began in the rural settings of his home state, where he played at local dances, absorbing the sounds of Northeastern Brazilian music. His parents fostered his early musicality, with his father playing percussion, which helped shape Soares' innate rhythmic sense. His formal training started at 15, studying with Helinho Medeiros in João Pessoa and performing in dance bands. A pivotal moment in his development was his introduction to the renowned Hermeto Pascoal, whose music profoundly impacted Soares' artistic direction.

Between 2008 and 2011, Soares honed his skills as a pianist on cruise ships traveling across South America. In 2011, he relocated to São Paulo with the specific aim of studying with André Marques, Hermeto Pascoal's pianist, at the Tatuí Conservatory. This period also saw him engaging with São Paulo's vibrant nightlife music scene and joining instrumental groups, which were crucial for his growth as a pianist and composer. His exploration of jazz broadened his creative horizons, not as an end in itself, but as a tool for dialogue, leading to a unique musical language that blends Brazilian piano traditions with contemporary jazz.

Soares has shared stages with prominent Brazilian artists such as Toninho Horta, João Bosco, and Leny Andrade, and has frequently performed alongside his mentor, Hermeto Pascoal. His career has been marked by significant recognition, including winning the MIMO Instrumental Award and being a finalist at the Montreux Jazz Piano Competition in 2017. He was also named New Talent at the 2018 Savassi Festival and featured on the "Best Brazilian Instrumentalists" list by Melhores da Música Brasileira. He is also a member of the Hamilton de Holanda Trio, with whom he won a Latin Grammy in 2025 for Best Latin Jazz Album. His international tours have spanned five continents, showcasing his distinctive blend of Brazilian rhythms and sophisticated jazz harmonies.