Claudio Celso

Claudio Celso (born August 4, 1955) is a Brazilian guitarist, composer and arranger. His work includes jazz, bossa nova and Brazilian popular music. He was listed in the world's top 100 guitarists by "Guitar Player Magazine" in Brazil.
Early years.
Claudio Celso was born in São Paulo, Brazil. He began playing guitar at the age of four. He initially studied classical guitar and then learned bossa nova and jazz with guitarist/composer Paulinho Nogueira and also with his father, Nilson M. Celso, who was an early electric guitarist in Brazil.
Performer.
Celso is known for impeccable technique and deep jazz roots and for his breadth of experience.
His career has included working with the Brazilian instrumental ensemble Zimbo Trio for over two years. He accompanied major popular artists with the Tupi Television Orchestra while in his hometown, São Paulo. From 1978 until 1985 he was based in New York City and worked with numerous well-known jazz icons and producers Teo Macero, Creed Taylor, Roy Cicala and Eumir Deodato. He studied composition and arranging with Don Sebesky while in New York. He has subsequently worked internationally with numerous renowned musicians and has been playing in music clubs, concert venues and jazz festivals.
Presently, Claudio is rehearsing a brand-new composition - Suite “Axis Mundi” - with Municipal Symphony Orchestra of Santos (Brazil) – a concert designed for electric guitar and orchestra. This project unites both classical and contemporary music in an effort to revitalize passion and interest for symphonic instruments in young audiences all around the world.
Other.
In addition to his career as a performer, Claudio does guitar clinics and writes articles for Guitar Player Magazine. He has taught extensively in his own country and internationally, published a Jazz Guitar instructional video, and mentored Brazilian guitar stars.
He frequently gives newspaper, magazine, radio and TV interviews, including an acclaimed interview with Guitarra Cover Magazine. His 2007 appearance on Programa do Jô, the popular TV talk show in Brazil, was followed by 4.6 million viewers.
In 2014, under the Rouanet Law, which allows tax payers (both persons and corporations) to make donations or sponsorships to cultural projects and get tax exemption, he received a grant from the Brazilian Ministry of Culture for a project which includes concerts and workshops throughout Brazil, and the recording of two new CDs.
Discography.
His recordings include:
Compositions.
Compositions include:
LP "The Brazilian Beat of Guanabara"
LP "Intelligence"
CD "Brazilian Jazz"
CD "Swell - A Brazilian Cool Jazz Experience"
CD "Surf Life"
EP "Alpha Solaris"
Single "Agreste"
EP "A Cool Jazz Experience"
CD "Axis Mundis - Suite for Guitar and Orchestra"