Brazilian Guitar Virtuosos – Yamandu Costa & Alessandro Penezzi

Critically acclaimed, Yamandu Costa has delighted audiences wherever he takes his unusual skill and sound. In his unforgettable performances—whether solo, accompanied by other musicians, or performing with orchestras—he carries the essence of music from southern Brazil, while masterfully exploring a range of different musical genres, resulting in a rare symbiosis with his seven-string guitar.

Despite his youth, Costa has enjoyed a long career. Born into a family of musicians in southern Brazil, he first took the stage at the of age five, singing. At six, his father gave him his first guitar. At 21 he won the Visa Instrumental Award—one of the highest honours in Brazilian music—which enabled him to record his first solo album.

From there, his career flourished: he has recorded several albums, both solo and in collaboration; performed extensively throughout Brazil and all around the world; and received prestigious awards. Most recently in 2021, he was honoured with a Latin Grammy for Best Instrumental Album for Toquinho & Yamandu Costa—Bachianinha (Live at the Rio Montreux Jazz Festival). 

Originally from Piracicaba (São Paulo, Brazil), Alessandro Penezzi is one of the great virtuosos of the Brazilian guitar. His concerts have been performed in several countries, including the USA, Russia, Japan, Gabon, Angola, Italy, Germany, Denmark, Kosovo, North Macedonia, Belgium, the Netherlands, Argentina, Poland, Uruguay, Colombia, Morocco, and Portugal. 

A graduate in Popular Music from Unicamp (University of Campinas), Penezzi completed his Master's degree at the Federal University of Bahia (UFBA) in 2024. He has taught courses, workshops, and seminars at various music festivals both in Brazil and abroad. He has performed and recorded alongside renowned artists such as Dominguinhos, Renato Borghetti, Hermeto Pascoal, Yamandú Costa, Hamilton de Holanda, Zimbo Trio, Arismar do Espírito Santo, Beth Carvalho, Sílvio Caldas, Billy Blanco, Alaíde Costa, and D. Ivone Lara, as well as orchestras including the São Paulo Jazz Symphony and the London Symphony Orchestra. 

A multi-instrumentalist and prolific composer, his works have been recorded by artists such as Yamandú Costa, Danilo Brito, and Jane Lenoir, among others. In 2015, he composed the soundtrack for the Brazilian cartoon SOS Fada Manu, commissioned by the Gloob channel. 

Among the awards and nominations he has received, a notable highlight is the 2017 album Quebranto, released in collaboration with Yamandú Costa under the Biscoito Fino label. This album garnered nominations for Best Instrumental Album and Best Soloist.