Jovino Santos Neto at the Mazza Castle

Three-time Latin Grammy nominee Jovino Santos Neto, a master pianist, composer and arranger, joins the Mazza Castle Music Salon series.

Jovino Santos Neto is a master pianist, composer and arranger, and is one of the most important Brazilian musicians working today. Currently based in Seattle, Washington, he has throughout his career been closely affiliated with the Brazilian master Hermeto Pascoal. He was an integral part of Pascoal's group from 1977 to1992, where he fine-tuned his artistry, performing around the world and co-producing several legendary records.

Jovino’s personal style is a creative blend of energetic grooves, deep harmonies, telepathic improvisation, lyrical melodies and great ensemble playing, always inspired and informed by the colorful richness of Brazilian music. His compositions include samba, choro, baião, xote, forró, marcha and many more styles, rooted in centuries-old musical tradition while pointing to new and adventurous harmonic languages.

Currently, Jovino leads his Seattle-based Quinteto and Trio. He taught piano and composition at Cornish College of the Arts for 26 years. He can also be heard around the world as a piano soloist, working with symphony orchestras, jazz big bands, chamber music groups, and in collaboration with musicians such as his mentor Hermeto Pascoal, Bill Frisell, Paquito d’Rivera, Airto Moreira, Claudio Roditi, David Sanchez, Joe Locke, Anat Cohen and many more.

Since moving to the US from his native Rio de Janeiro in 1993, Jovino Santos Neto has continued to tour the world and to record prolifically. He has recorded multiple CDs with his Seattle-based Quinteto, including Canto do Rio, nominated for a Latin Grammy in 2004. In 2006 Adventure Music released Roda Carioca with an all-Brazilian lineup including Joyce, Hermeto Pascoal and several other notable musicians, earning him a second Latin Grammy nomination. In 2007, after receiving a special commission from Brazil’s Petrobras, Jovino composed and recorded Alma do Nordeste, a musical journey translating the essence of Northeastern Brazil into melodies, rhythms and improvisations – connecting regional, universal, imaginary and real stories. In 2008 he released a piano duo with Weber Iago, Live at Caramoor, also nominated for a Latin Grammy award in 2009. In 2010 Veja o Som (See the Sound) was released, a double disc collection of duos with musicians such as Bill Frisell, Joe Locke, Paquito d’Rivera, Anat Cohen, João Donato, Airto Moreira, Joyce, Paula Morelenbaum and Monica Salmaso, among others. In 2011 Adventure Music released Corrente (Current) featuring his Quinteto performing all new original music. Jovino also recorded Guris, a piano duo with Brazilian pianist André Mehmari celebrating the music of Hermeto Pascoal in 2016, and Por Causa de Você, a live recording with his Quinteto celebrating the music of Antonio Carlos Jobim in 2018. 

Jovino’s compositions have been performed by the Seattle Symphony, NDR Big Band in Hamburg, Swiss Jazz Orchestra and by numerous jazz and chamber music groups. Jovino gives lectures, clinics and master classes worldwide on a variety of musical topics, including the connection between Music and Nature.

Learn More

• Artist's website

• Jovino Santos on Spotify

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Doors open at 4 PM with complimentary light refreshments and wine. Music begins promptly at 5 PM. 

Please Note:

• The performance is approximately 75 minutes without intermission.

• Music salons are for adults only.

• No outside food or drink, spiked heels, or pets are permitted.

• The Castle is not wheelchair accessible and tours require walking up and down some stairs.

• The Castle is a non-smoking property.