João Godinho
Born in Lisbon in 1976, João Godinho received his first piano lessons at the age of six. Even as a young man, he was particularly interested in composition and improvisation. After graduating from the Escuela Superior de Musica in his hometown, Godinho embarked upon a broad musical career. As a composer, he has written mainly for piano and piano ensembles, for example Nocturno for piano and toy piano and the piano quintet De Queda Em Queda, but also O Maionetista (por Orchestrutopica) or Insecto Xilófago for solo marimba. Nocturno was presented in an orchestral version and dance performance in more than 20 cities in Portugal, France and Belgium with great success. In addition, Godinho is intensely involved in traditional Portuguese music, fado, jazz and world music. Since 2008 he has also been the artistic director of the Lisbon Summer Jazz School and the big band Junior, which unites teenagers from 12 to 19 years of age.