Deborah Levy
Deborah Levy is a Rio-based pianist, keyboardist, and composer specializing in Brazilian instrumental music, jazz, and MPB. With a lifelong dedication to musical excellence, she blends sophistication, improvisation, and expressive lyricism—delivering performances that are both technically refined and deeply personal.
Biography
Deborah Levy is a Brazilian pianist, keyboardist, and composer known for her deep connection to Brazilian instrumental music, jazz, and MPB. Born in Rio de Janeiro and raised partly in Belo Horizonte, Deborah began studying piano at age 10. By 15, she was performing with local bands and discovering the music of Hermeto Pascoal and Egberto Gismonti—artists who profoundly shaped her artistic identity. Music runs in her family: her grandfather was an amateur violinist who performed with pianist George Geszti, father of the renowned educator Ian Guest. Deborah returned to Rio de Janeiro at age 18, shortly after the passing of her mother, and immediately immersed herself in music studies at CIGAM (Centro Ian Guest de Aperfeiçoamento Musical) while already working professionally as a pianist and keyboardist to support herself.
Professional Experience
Bachelor's degree in MPB from UNIRIO (2005)
Master's degree from UNIRIO (2010) - dissertation on Brazilian Jazz in Rio–São Paulo during the 1980s
Studied Brazilian jazz piano with Délia Fischer
Studied classical piano with Linda Bustani and Sônia Goulart
Trained at CIGAM (Centro Ian Guest de Aperfeiçoamento Musical)
Best Instrumental Performer Award from Rádio MEC's Festival de Música for "Back to Life"
Co-founded instrumental quintet Linha 176 (1994) with critically acclaimed album
Released solo album "Apimentada" at Sala Cecília Meireles (2018)
Performed at Rio Montreux Jazz Festival (2019)
Featured on Rádio MEC's Jazz Brasil program
Music featured as soundtrack for "Teatros do Brasil" documentary series
Toured nationally and internationally with Ana Carolina
25 years performing with celebrated Banda Celebrare
Finalist in E-Festival Instrumental 2021 with "Back to Life"
Created and performed 20 editions of "Brazilian Jazz Sessions" (2022–2024)
Musical director for Ilka Villardo's "Substantivo Feminino" (2024)
Pianist/keyboardist for major musicals "Djavanear" and "O Rei do Rock" (2024–25)
Active on Rio's jazz scene since the 1990s
Video Showcase
Musical Genres
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