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Diego Figueiredo




Diego 1Brazilian guitarist Diego Figueiredo (pronounced “fig-a-ray-doe”) lives in, with, and for the music. Some people are simply meant to be musicians. Diego is one. He was born in 1980 in Franca, São Paulo State, and began playing music at four years old. By the age of twelve he had already attracted a local following, and when he was fifteen, he was drawing huge crowds around Brazil.

Now, in 2021, he has conquered the world. Diego has recorded over two dozen albums, both solo and in collaboration with others, and constantly tours all over the globe. He can no longer be downplayed as a “rising star” among the world’s great (jazz) guitarists – he is now inarguably among the established elite. His skills on his instrument are matched only by his ability to move freely between styles, and his sublime technique is paired with an exquisite ability to vary his playing so that it radiates with unwavering excitement. His expressive voice on the acoustic guitar draws inspiration from his home country’s rich musical heritage, but he also has a deep knowledge and sense of jazz’s quirkiness as well as the classic guitar tradition. Diego Figueiredo can play whatever he desires.

Diego has released 25 CDs between his releases in Brazil, the European label Stunt Records, and now Arbors Records.  He has played in more than 60 countries. He is the winner of several important competitions including The Montreux Jazz Guitar Competition, and Brazil’s VISA Prize.

Diego has recorded and performed with Brazil’s biggest stars including Gilberto Gil, João Bosco, Roberto Menescal, Toquinho, Fafá de Belém, Angela Maria, Toninho Horta, and several years touring the world accompanying Brazil’s beloved composer and vocalist, Belchior. 
For the last ten years, Diego has spent large swarths of time in North America, performing solo and in duos with the likes of Larry Coryell, Ken Peplowski, John Clayton, Jeff Hamilton, Chuchito Valdes, Stanley Jordan and Cyrille Aimée. 

Diego and Cyrille Aimée toured heavily together from 2011 – 2015.  Each artist has guested many times on each other’s albums, culminating in Cyrille’s 2019 Sondheim inspired album, “Move On”, which earned each of them a Grammy Nomination for “Best Arrangement, Instruments and Vocals”.

George Benson says “Diego is one of the greatest guitarists I’ve seen in my whole life.”

Guitar World magazine wrote “Next up was a true virtuoso, jazz guitarist Diego Figueiredo. Yes, we were all mesmerized by his amazing head of hair. But it was his incredibly fluid and natural performance style, his sense of true enjoyment as he dazzled us and his good-natured entertaining approach that truly grabbed us. Wow. I don’t even know what else to say. Seemingly effortless and thoroughly fabulous.”

Diego and Ken Peplowski debuted as a duo on their 2019 release on Arbors Records, “Amizade”.  That album spent 15 weeks spinning on JazzWeek’s Top 50, and was accompanied by a 20 city tour. 

Next, Diego released his first solo album in the USA in 2020’s “Compilation”, also on the Arbors label.  That album spent 19 weeks in the Top 50 of JazzWeek’s radio charts, an unusual long period of time in today’s radio. 

In the meanwhile, Diego has released four records on the Danish label, Stunt Records, including “Broken Bossa” (2015), and “Come Closer” (2019), which was a guitar/vocal album featuring four songs with Cyrille Aimee, four with Janis Siegel, and two with Italian jazz singer Chiarra Izzi.

Now, Diego’s second solo album for Arbors, “Antarctica” (January 2021), was inspired by a recent trip to the world’s most unique and rare continent, Antarctica.  Besides the peacefulness and beauty of the continent, Diego was particularly inspired to compose about the ever-present penguins, who seemed to have a lilt and spirit as they went about their mysterious mission.
The album is filled with all originals, four solo, and the rest with his favorite Brazilian backing trio consisting of pianist Alexandre Piu, bassist Eduardo Machado and drummer Fernando Rast.

Ken Franckling’s liner notes are of particular significance as he has seen Diego perform live numerous times. He concludes, “Some things are very clear here.  The guitarist (Diego) is a composer, bandleader and player of the highest caliber.  He has blended classical and jazz acoustic guitar techniques into something distinctly Diego.”



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Quotes
“One of the greatest guitarists I’ve seen in my whole life”             
 – George Benson

“Diego is a unique musician” 
 – Al Di Meola

Up next was a true virtuoso, jazz guitarist Diego Figuierido. Yes, we were all mesmerized by his amazing head of hair. But it was his incredibly fluid and natural performance style, his sense of true enjoyment as he dazzled us and his good-natured entertaining approach that truly grabbed us. Wow. I don’t even know what else to say. Seemingly effortless and thoroughly fabulous.
–    Laura B. Whitmore / Guitar World Magazine


Thank you for all your help with the Diego Figueiredo engagement here at Lehigh. It was positively wonderful. He is really a  lovely and generous person as well as being a remarkable artist.  Please pass my appreciation on to him for his great performance.
  – Deborah Sacarakis / Director of Programming / Zoellner Arts Center / Lehigh University


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Audio & Video Samples

youtubeVideo for concert producers

Malageña – Solo at The Dirty Dog Jazz Cafe Detroit
youtubeDiego Figueiredo in Belo Horizonte, Brazil
youtubeDiego Figueiredo Trio Live in Concert in São Paulo Brazil
youtubeDiego Figueiredo Duo (hold onto your seat)
youtubeDiego solo performing “Stella by Starlight”
youtubeDiego Figueiredo wins the Festa Nacional da Música Award in Brazil
youtubeDiego solo performing “India”
youtubeDiego solo performing “Potpourri do Diego”
youtubeDiego solo pereforming “Valsa”
youtubeDiego solo performing Asa Branca
youtubeDiego Duo performing “Take Five”
youtubeDiego Trio performing Aquarela do Brasil

Biography
Diego Figueiredo Biography (pdf)


Hi-Res Photos
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Diego Figueiredo Hi-Res #1
Diego Figueiredo Hi-Res #2
Diego Figueiredo Hi-Res #3
Diego Figueiredo Hi-Res #4
Diego Figueiredo Hi-Res #5
Diego Figueiredo Hi-Res #6
Diego Live

Low-Res Photos
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Low-Res #1
Low-Res #2
Low-Res #3


Reviews
Guitar World Magazine Review 2015

Artist Home Page
www.diegofigueiredo.com

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Programs Available
Diego Figueiredo Solo
Diego Figueiredo Duo (with either pianist or with percussionist)
Diego Figueiredo Trio (with piano and percussion)
Diego Figueiredo and Ken Peplowski
Diego Figueiredo and Stanley Jordan
Diego Figueiredo and special guest Chiara Izzi


Diego Figueiredo and special guest Chiara Izzi




youtube Live in the studio “Doralice”
youtube  Live in the studio “Luiza”
youtube Chiara Izzi & Andres Rotmistrovsky “How Sweet It Is”
youtube Chiara Izzi “El Cacerolazo” Live at Montreux Jazz Festival 2012
youtube Chiara Izzi “Just Friends” 2015
youtube Chiara Izzi “Il Pescatore” Live at Montreux Jazz Festival 2012
youtube Chiara Izzi “Segni del tempo” from the album “Motifs” 2014



Biography
Chiara Izzi Biography (pdf)


Hi-Res Photos
Diego and special guest Chiara Izzi # 1
Diego and special guest Chiara Izzi # 2
Diego and special guest Chiara Izzi # 3
Diego and special guest Chiara Izzi # 4
Diego and special guest Chiara Izzi # 5
Diego and special guest Chiara Izzi # 6

Reviews
All about Jazz Review of “Motifs” – Chiara Izzi
Jazztimes Review of “Motifs” – Chiara Izzi

Artist Home Page
www.chiaraizzi.com
Diego
                              & Ken“The Bossa Nova Wave” Diego Figueiredo & Ken Peplowski
Playing the music of the famous album “Jazz Samba” from 1962 that launched the Brazilian Bossa Nova craze in North America. The orignial album featured Charlie Byrd and Stan Getz.  It was an explosion of Grammy’s and Billboard hits including “One Note Samba”, “Desafinado”, and “Wave”.   
Diego Figueiredo (pronounced fig-a-ray-doe) is considered one of the most talented guitar players in the world today. He is the winner of several important competitions including the Montreux Jazz Competition and the VISA Prize. His music is a fusion between Jazz, Bossa Nova and Classical. Diego’s unique interpretations, along with his phenomenal technique and emotion, has created an explosion of adoring fans and concert goers.  Diego has performed in over forty countries around the world.
Ken Peplowski
The litany of musicians Ken has collaborated with includes: Mel Torme, Leon Redbone, Charlie Byrd, Peggy Lee, Benny Goodman, George Shearing,  Madonna,  James Moody, Steve Allen, Woody Allen, and many more. Ken Peplowski has recorded over 50 CDs as a soloist, and 400 as a sideman.
youtube  Diego Figueiredo Trio Live in Concert in São Paulo Brazil
youtube  Diego Figueiredo Duo (hold onto your seat)

youtube   Ken Peplowski – “Menina Flor”


Diego & Ken Photo #1
Diego & Ken Photo #2