Vitor Alcântara

Origin

São Paulo, SP

Years Active

late 1980s

Genres

jazz, MPB

Instruments

saxophone, flute

Biography

Vitor Alcântara is a prominent Brazilian saxophonist and flutist, hailing from one of São Paulo's most respected musical families. He has established himself as a significant figure in the Brazilian saxophone scene, with a career spanning over three decades. Alcântara began his musical journey at a young age, studying the saxophone under his uncle, Carlos Alberto Alcântara, and later refining his skills with private lessons from renowned musicians like Naylor Azevedo (Proveta) for saxophone, Ricardo Breim for harmony, and Lilu for piano. He has also shared his expertise as an instructor at institutions such as ULM (Universidade Livre de Música), Faculdade Souza Lima, and Faculdade da Cantareira, and has conducted music workshops in various cities across Brazil.

Alcântara's career is marked by extensive collaborations and performances with a wide array of notable artists and ensembles. He has performed and recorded with figures such as Airto Moreira, Banda Mantiqueira, Soundscape Big Band Jazz, Sizão Machado, Celso Pixinga, Vera Figueiredo, and the Orquestra Jazz Sinfônica, among many others. His musical journey has taken him on numerous tours throughout Brazil, South America, Europe, and the USA. He has been an endorser for Rico reeds and has contributed to numerous albums, showcasing his versatility across different musical projects and genres.

As a bandleader, Vitor Alcântara leads the Vitor Alcântara Quinteto, whose repertoire focuses on jazz themes, incorporating arrangements, reharmonizations, and collective improvisations. The quintet features a second saxophonist, Josué dos Santos, alongside Gustavo Bugni on piano, Sidiel Vieira on double bass, and Carlos Ezequiel on drums. His work often highlights the saxophone as a natural lead instrument, demonstrating his deep understanding and skillful execution within the jazz idiom. Alcântara's contributions to Brazilian music solidify his reputation as a respected instrumentalist and educator.

Discography

• Lupa Santiago, Carlos Ezequiel, Guto Brambilla + Vitor Alcântara – Sinequanon (2004)
• Duo (2009)
• VICTOR por VITOR - um Sax Brasileiro (2015)
• Acordo (2023)
• Empatia (2024)