Born in Rio, the master guitarist grew up listening to bossa nova, samba and the steamy rhythms of Carnaval.
In the late '70s Silveira attended the Berklee College of Music in Boston, where he began long lasting friendships with fellow guitarists Pat Metheny and Bill Frisell. He soon relocated to New York to record and perform with the likes of Herbie Mann, Sonny Fortune and John Hassell. He joined Mann's band and toured with him for several years.
After studying with some of America's great guitarists, Silveira returned to Brazil to become a highly sought-after studio sideman by the most revered artists in his home country. He has recorded with Elis Regina, Milton Nascimento, Gilberto Gil, Gal Costa, Ivan Lins, João Bosco and Chico Buarque, among many others.
He has toured throughout the globe with both Milton and Gil. In the States, Silveira has recorded with Flora Purim, Toots Thielmans and Vanessa Williams, among others.
He released his first album independently in Brazil in 1985 titled "Bom de Tocar" and followed up with a sophomore project "Rio High Life" which was a collaboration with American saxophonist Steve Slagel.
Silveira made an impressive American debut with "Long Distance", released on Polygram's Verve Forecast label. Pat Metheny, Dave Sanborn and Ernie Watts were just some of the luminaries who supported Silveira on this freshman outing. His second Verve release "Sky Light" made Silveira a number one jazz radio hit.
The next album, "Amazon Secret" was also a number one radio success and outstripped its predecessors in sales. A reviewer for the All Music Guide enthused, "Silveira's catchy and melodic writing and perky playing provide the charm which makes this by far his most accomplished work". Silveira played with a star-studded line-up on this recording that included Paulinho da Costa, Abraham Laboriel, Branford Marsalis, and Terry Lynne Carrington.
"Small World" became Silveira's third straight recording to reach the #1 position at jazz radio. Silveira again worked with Abe Laboriel and drummer Jeff Porcaro and was joined by Brazilians saxophonist Leo Gandleman and trumpter Marcio Montarroyos. "(Silveira's) sound is definitely original", raved Jazz Times.
In 1995, he recorded "Storyteller" for old friend Herbie Mann's Kokopelli label. It featured the unique blending of Silveiro's acoustic and electric guitars with Brazilian rhythms and American jazz and blues that has become his trademark sound. "Between the different styles of Brazilian guitar and American rock, blues and jazz, I've found and still find a lot to work from," he says.
More recently, Silveira has been touring with his band in the U.S. and Brazil, playing gigs with Dave and Don Grusin, guesting on LA clubs dates, and performing a major concert tribute to Milton Nascimento in Brazil. He just completed a series of rare duo performances with singing great Nana Caymmi. Silveira is handling producer duties on a project with Ney Mattogrosso which will be a tribute to the great Brazilian composer Cartola as well as for the the major label debut of Rio rising star Carol Saboya.
Silveira has a number of recording projects in mind that he'd like to set his talents to in the near future. An album with acoustic quartet and vocalists, a project featuring choro music played on electric guitar, and a solo guitar album are but some of the ideas that move him creatively. As he says, "I'm just a musician who likes a lot of different kinds of music and I feel it's great to have those musical worlds to explore."
Website :- www.ricardosilveira.com
