Carlos Gontijo
Brazilian saxophonist devoted to researching and promoting the classical repertoire for the saxophone, and an endorser of Selmer Paris, Légère and Barkley.
He specialized in saxophone at the Conservatoire de Musique de Rouen, France, under the great saxophonist Marc Sieffert, and holds a master’s degree in music from the Université de Rouen. He also holds a bachelor’s degree in Saxophone from the University of Brasília (UnB, with prof. Vadim Arsky) and a technical degree in Saxophone from the Brasília School of Music (with prof. Carlos Eduardo “Boogie”), and has won several national and international awards.
Born in Brasília, Carlos Gontijo is one of the most active Brazilian classical saxophonists on the national and international scene. As a soloist, chamber musician and recitalist he has performed in the main concert halls of Brazil and in halls in Argentina, Uruguay, Costa Rica, France, Belgium, Germany, Austria, Portugal and Spain. He has premiered more than 100 works dedicated to him by Brazilian and international composers.
He is currently:
• An immortal member of ALMUB (Academy of Music of Brazil), holding chair no. 10
• A member of the Art&Sax and Brasília Sax saxophone quartets
• Saxophonist of the PMDF Symphonic Band
• General Director of ESAX Brasília and of the Claude Brendel Academy
He is deeply engaged in research on the classical saxophone in Brazil, and works with a range of orchestras and composers, premiering works and giving concerts, master classes, lectures and workshops at festivals in Brazil and abroad.