João Barreto is a young Portuguese pianist and composer. He has won prizes in several
national and international competitions, like the 1st prize in S. Teotónio (Coimbra), Serra
da Estrela, Tavira, Lagos, Alto Minho and 3rd prize in the Orbetello (Junior) Piano
Competition (Italy); and 3rd prize and all special prizes in the Santa Cecília International
Piano Competition (Junior A).
João Barreto was born in 2005 in Lisbon and grew up listening to different musical styles
ranging from classical music to 80s rock. He began his musical studies at the age of 3 in
Algarve, where he studied with Teresa Brandão (2011-2020) and Jefferson Mello
(2020-22). At the age of 9, he began studying jazz with the Argentinian musician Pablo
Lapidusas, who guided him until he was 17. In 2022 he moved to Porto, where he studied
with Álvaro Teixeira Lopes (at Curso de Música Silva Monteiro), finishing with a grade of
20 out of 20. He attended various courses and masterclasses with respected
pedagogues, including Philippe Raskin, Leonel Morales, Olivier Moulin, Artur Pizarro and
Raúl da Costa.
He has been involved in various classical and jazz projects. At the age of 15, he had
already released his first solo project “Barefoot”, recorded at home during the 2020
lockdown. In 2023, he released, “The Lonely Tree”, published by Respirar de Ouvido with
the support of the respected radio Antena 2 which, together with references on TV, radio
and music magazines, helped the young artist. In 2024 he created the project “12 meses,
12 improvisos” (12 months, 12 improvisations) where he explored improvised music
adapted to different venues in Portugal (from concert halls to palaces).
The pianist performs regularly as a concert pianist, composer and in a jazz trio with
Duarte Júlio (double-bass) and João Silva (drums), in Portugal and abroad, developing a
fusion between jazz, classical and Portuguese music.
Currently, João is having his degree in music at the University of Aveiro under the
guidance of Professor Álvaro Teixeira Lopes. In jazz, he takes occasional private lessons
with the well known pedagogue João Paulo Esteves da Silva.
“Barreto’s compositions don’t reveal mimicry, they reveal a desire to affirmation himself
also as an author.” - Nuno Catarino (music critic) on jazz.pt
“João’s work is very beautiful and has that characteristic, it’s real like him” - Álvaro Teixeira
Lopes (Professor and pianist)
“A brilliant pianist and certainly a promise for Portuguese jazz. Remember
that name!” - Pablo Lapidusas (Teacher and pianist)
Young talents Concert