Wilson Lopes

Origin

Pitangui, MG

Also known as

Wilson Lopes Cançado

Years Active

1982

Genres

MPB, brazilian jazz, instrumental

Instruments

guitar, acoustic guitar, viola caipira

Biography

Wilson Lopes Cançado, born in Pitangui, Minas Gerais, on April 28, 1966, is a highly respected Brazilian guitarist, violonist, composer, arranger, and musical director. Music has been a lifelong passion, deeply ingrained in his family, with all nine siblings being musically inclined. He moved to Belo Horizonte in the early 1970s and, by his teenage years, was dedicating himself entirely to musical studies. By age 15, he performed his first instrumental concert alongside his older brother, Beto Lopes, at the Palácio das Artes in Belo Horizonte.

Lopes's career took a significant turn in the early 1980s when he met guitarist Toninho Horta, who introduced him to Milton Nascimento. After a memorable encounter at Toninho Horta's wedding, Lopes and Nascimento began a musical partnership that has spanned decades. Lopes joined Nascimento's band and became his musical director and arranger for numerous projects, including the acclaimed album "Angelus," which Nascimento considers "Clube da Esquina 3." Their collaboration has resulted in countless tours, compositions, and recordings, solidifying their deep artistic bond.

Beyond his work with Milton Nascimento, Wilson Lopes has released solo albums such as "Lua" (1992) and "Laundry," showcasing his diverse musical influences, including rock and roll. He has also collaborated with his brother Beto Lopes on several projects, including the "Nossas Mãos" trilogy, which pays homage to the Clube da Esquina movement. Lopes is also an educator, holding a professorship at the Federal University of Minas Gerais (UFMG), where he developed a course titled "The Music of Milton Nascimento."