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José Neto (José Pires de Almeida Neto) is a guitarist, composer, & musical director,
and the bandleader for the José Netoband, which has recorded and performed together for 25 years. The Netoband began performing together in 1992 at the legendary Ronnie’s Scotts club in London, where the band had a two week residence every year for twelve years. They recorded six albums together, including their most recent release, “Other Shore”.
In addition to José, the Netoband features the talented Frank Martin on keyboard, Gary Brown on bass, and Celso Alberti on drums.
About José Neto
Jose Neto is currently on tour with Steve Winwood, who is releasing his new double live CD, 4 LP, “Winwood’s Greatest Hits”. Neto has collaborated on nine songs with Winwood throughout the fifteen consecutive years they have played and toured together. One of these compositions, “Fly”, is included on the new release.
Neto was born in São Paulo, Brazil and began playing guitar when he was very young. By the time he was twelve he was performing with bands, occasionally hiding from the police at nightclubs – until he was of legal age. He graduated from the São Paulo Academy of Music with a focus in classical guitar.
Early in his musical career he and Brazilian master musician Filó Machado co- wrote “Jogral”, which has been covered by countless musicians all around the world. The song became a standard taught in music schools, and has been included in the Real Book.
In 1978 Neto moved to New York, where he auditioned for the legendary Harry Belafonte, becoming his guitar player and eventual Musical Director. A long- lasting musical friendship has endured to present day and into Belafonte’s ninth decade.
Neto was a co-founder of the jazz fusion group Fourth World, with famed percussionist Airto Moreira and singer Flora Purim, collaborating with them on many compositions and recordings.
Neto has performed and recorded with:
Eric Clapton; Herbie Mann; Jim Capaldi; Jorge Dalto, with whom he recorded “Urban Oasis”; Paquito D’Rivera, with whom he recorded “Explosion”; Tania Maria, with whom he recorded “Come With Me”; Carlos Santana; the Allman Brothers, and many other world class musicians.
With Steve Winwood he recorded “About Time”, “Nine Lives”, “Greatest Hits Live”, and the DVDs “Soundstage” and “Austin City Limits”.
With Harry Belafonte he recorded “Loving You Is Where I Belong”, “Belafonte 89″, “Paradise in Gazankulu”, and the DVD “Global Carnival”.
