Gabriel Pontes

Biography

Gabriel Pontes is a Brazilian saxophonist and flutist active in the national and international music scene since 2010. He is a graduate of the Villa-Lobos Music School (technical program) and has studied saxophone and flute with renowned musicians such as Eduardo Neves, Fernando Trocado, and Nivaldo Ornelas, among others. He is currently pursuing a Bachelor's degree in Music Education at the Conservatório Brasileiro de Música. Gabriel has performed as part of the orchestra accompanying multi-instrumentalist, composer, and arranger Egberto Gismonti, participating in major festivals throughout Brazil and Europe as a member of the Orquestra Corações Futuristas. He is also an active member and educator within Caramuela, a cultural collective that includes a forró sextet, a Carnival street band, and educational workshops focused on percussion, wind instruments, and banjo, all based in Rio de Janeiro. As a saxophonist and flutist with the Pro Arte Wind Orchestra, Gabriel has performed with leading figures in Brazilian music such as João Bosco, Gilberto Gil, Carlos Malta, and Guinga, appearing in some of Rio de Janeiro's most important concert halls. In addition to his performance career, Gabriel works extensively as a music educator, teaching saxophone, flute, children's music education, and music theory through private lessons, group classes, and specialized music schools in Rio de Janeiro. As a freelancer, he performs in a wide range of settings, including weddings, graduation ceremonies, live sax performances in clubs and private events, ballroom bands, and as a sideman for various artists. He has also participated in numerous studio recordings with orchestras and Brazilian music artists. Gabriel's work extends into theater and dance, with credits including Deixa Clarear (a musical about Clara Nunes), Help! I Need Somebody (contemporary dance), Felinda – Carroça de Mamulengos, Unicirco Marcos Frota, and Uma Babá Quase Perfeita (theater). With a career defined by versatility, professionalism, and musical depth, Gabriel Pontes brings a refined and adaptable approach to every musical context he is part of.