Jorge Continentino

Biography

Jorge Continentino is a Brazilian saxophonist, flutist, clarinetist, composer, arranger, singer, and educator, widely regarded as one of the most distinctive voices in contemporary Brazilian and global music. Born in Rio de Janeiro and raised between Rio and Belo Horizonte, Jorge grew up immersed in a rich musical environment where jazz, bossa nova, rock, and Brazilian music were part of everyday life. Coming from a deeply musical family, Jorge's early formation was shaped by his father Mauro Continentino and his stepmother Marisa Gandelman, who introduced him to piano before guiding him toward the trumpet and, at age twelve, the clarinet—an instrument that revealed his true artistic calling. Mauro and Marisa founded the legendary Pianíssimo Studio Bar in Belo Horizonte, a major hub of the jazz scene during the 1980s. Alongside his brothers Kiko and Alberto Continentino, Jorge's first stage and musical education came directly from performing at Pianíssimo. Jorge studied clarinet at the Fundação de Educação Artística in Belo Horizonte (1985–1987), and later studied harmony, arrangement, and musical perception at Musiarte and CIGAM in Rio de Janeiro (1989–1991). In the early 1990s, he performed extensively in São Paulo, Belo Horizonte, and Rio de Janeiro, becoming part of Brazil's leading instrumental and popular music scenes. In 1992, he joined the band of Sandra de Sá, marking a key step in his professional career. Throughout the following years, Jorge worked extensively with artists such as Marisa Monte, Milton Nascimento, Cláudio Zoli, Skank, Zeca Baleiro, Ramiro Musotto, Lucas Santtana, Durval Ferreira, Arthur Maia, among many others. In 2002, Jorge formed Continentrio with his brothers Kiko and Alberto, releasing an album featuring original compositions and arrangements. In 2003, he released his debut solo album, "Portrait," produced with Alberto Continentino. In 2004, Jorge moved to New York, where he established a highly influential international career. He collaborated in recordings and live performances with artists including Bebel Gilberto, David Byrne, Steve Earle, Red Hot Chili Peppers, Eumir Deodato, Marcos Valle, Stewart Copeland, Cyro Baptista, Norah Jones, Rogê, Brazilian Girls, Chiara Civello, and many others. That same year, he became a core member of Forró in the Dark, alongside Mauro Refosco, a New York–based band that fused traditional forró rhythms with jazz, rock, dub, and experimental music. The group achieved global recognition, performing at major festivals such as Monterey Jazz Festival, Montréal Jazz Festival, WOMAD, Bonnaroo, and many more. Their discography includes critically acclaimed releases such as Bonfires of São João, Dia de Roda, Light a Candle, Sandcastle (produced by Kassin), and Forrozinho, featuring compositions by John Zorn, produced by Jesse Harris. Jorge has also worked extensively in film and audiovisual projects, serving as musical director for films such as Lewis and Clarke (2014) and participating in soundtracks and documentaries including O Homem que Engarrafava Nuvens. In 2019, Jorge returned to Brazil, where he continues to develop solo projects, including his jazz group and the experimental project Pifanology, while remaining highly active as a performer, arranger, producer, and recording artist. Since returning, he has collaborated with artists such as Caetano Veloso, Maria Bethânia, Gilberto Gil, Adriana Calcanhotto, IZA, Tiago Iorc, Bala Desejo, Roberta Sá, Carlinhos Brown, Elza Soares, Planet Hemp, among many others. As an educator, Jorge has taught and led workshops at institutions including the University of Florida and Florida State University, as part of the Brazilian Music Institute (BMI). With a career defined by artistic depth, global reach, and constant innovation, Jorge Continentino stands as one of the most important and influential multi-instrumentalists of his generation.