Rique Pantoja

Multi-talented Rique Pantoja is a composer, arranger, songwriter and jazz pianist. Born and raised in Rio de Janeiro, he has been based in Los Angeles for nearly two decades, He is in great demand worldwide for concerts, recordings, TV and film work and advertising projects. At 19 he moved to Boston to study at Boston’s Berklee College of Music (Mecca for many top young jazz musicians). After Berklee he traveled to Paris to work with legendary American jazz trumpeter Chet Baker. Back home in Brazil, his reputation preceding him, Rique quickly found acceptance among notable artists such as Djavan, Ivan Lins, Milton Nascimento, Gilberto Gil, Gal Costa, Chico Buarque, Tim Maia, Gonzaguinha, Paulinho da Viola and other headliners in Brazilian music. At that time he also founded Cama de Gato (“Cat’s Cradle”), which quickly became – and remains – one of the outstanding Brazilian jazz groups of that era and bestseller instrumental group 1986/87. Rique has worked with many other heavyweights on the international musical scene: Alejandro Sanz, Carlos Santana, sax master Ernie Watts, Ricky Martin, classical guitarist Christopher Parkening, Abraham Laboriel, Alex Acuña,, Luis Conte, Lee Ritenour, Kirk Whalum, Steps Ahead -Mike Mainieri, Sadao Watanabe, Brenda Russell, Grammy winner Israel Houghton, Frank Gambale and Justo Almario among many others (see the attached list). Currently based in L.A., Rique’s credits range from projects and performances with such renowned artists as: Alejandro Sanz, Ricky Martin, Ernie Watts, Carlos Santana, Chet Baker, Alessandro Safina, Brenda Russel, Yasuko Agawa, Milton Nascimento, Ivan Lins, Djavan, Gilberto Gil, Gal Costa, João Bosco, Caetano Veloso, Gonzaguinha, Guinga, Toninho Horta, Marina, Simone, Lee Ritenour, Christopher Parkening, Jubilant Sykes, Steve Gadd, Israel Houghton, Ron Kenoly, Kirk Whalum, Tommy Walker.... (for more info please check link above) http://www.riquepantoja.com