“He… is a jazz saxophonist and composer with a unique vantage point, fully respecting
American and Brazilian music and being conversant in both. His technical skills, musicianship, and instrumental prowess place him among the top contenders of his craft.” – Arturo O’Farrill, Grammy winner pianist/band leader

Lívio Almeida is a GRAMMY nominee saxophonist and composer from Brazil, winner of the International Saxophone Competition Victor Assis Brasil in 2015. He got his Bachelor in Classical Saxophone in Brasilia,Brazil; a second degree at The City College of New York (CUNY) in Jazz Performance and a Masters Degree in Music Composition at The Brooklyn College of New York (CUNY) and is a music performance PhD candidate at Universidade Estadual de Campinas-Unicamp (Brazil).

Livio Almeida appeared in many important Jazz festivals such as Newport Jazz Festival, Los Angeles Central Ave Jazz Fest, NYC winter Fest and NYC Carefusion Jazz Fest, and prominent venues like Carnegie Hall, Birdland, The Iridium, Dizzy’s
Coca-Cola Club, The Jazz Gallery, Cornelia Street Cafe, Joe’s Pub, Zinc Bar, SOB’s, BAM Cafe and Symphony Space, besides touring internationally. He has shared stage with world class musicians such as Grammy winning ensembles The Afro Latin Jazz Orchestra, the Birdland Bigband, Mike Holober, Adam O’Farril, Zack O’Farrill, Arturo O’Farrill, Boris Koslov, Ari Hoenig, Cidinho Teixeira, Helio Alves, Jon Gordon, Nelson Angelo and more.

Almeida also has two recorded albums, Pieces as a co-leader, and his latest record Action & Reaction, was released under the production of Arturo O’Farrill, receiving many accolades from the specialized media. He also directs a 10-piece band, a “dectet” dedicated to perform large ensemble Brazilian music, with a regular monthly residency at the traditional Zinc Bar in NYC.

Besides his frequent high profile appearances in the New York area and playing internationally, Livio Almeida is considered a very distinct voice on saxophone today, being fluent in both Jazz and Brazilian musical languages. As a teacher, Livio served in the Saxophone chair at the University of Brasilia, Brazil and now is as an Adjunct Lecturer at the Brooklyn College of New York-CUNY.

Photo credit: Lucie Bigo / Henri SELMER Paris