Check Out Nando Duarte’s Story

Today we’d like to introduce you to Nando Duarte.

Alright, so thank you so much for sharing your story and insight with our readers. To kick things off, can you tell us a bit about how you got started?
I was born in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, son of a musician and a painter. I grew up spending my time between the ocean and music, two things that Rio is famous for and has a lot to offer. My parents loved to travel, so I was exposed to different cultures very soon. I started playing guitar at the age of eight. During high school, I had several different bands (mostly rock and pop) and went straight to music college, where I really expanded my music knowledge. During college, I started touring with Brazilian artists, directing shows and producing albums. My wife is American, we met in Rio when she was studying abroad and she moved there with me after almost two years of distant relationship. When we had kids touring wasn’t very convenient anymore, so I started to compose for movies, advertising and directing and arranging musicals. In 2016 we decided to move to Santa Monica to be able to expand even more our careers (she is an amazing event producer) keeping the beach lifestyle that I grew up with. It’s a perfect place for us to work, raise our kids and enjoy life.

Here I’ve been playing live, recording, producing albums, teaching, scoring movies and composing for advertising. I work mostly on my home studio, where I can work, take care of my two lovely daughters and walk to the beach!

Alright, so let’s dig a little deeper into the story – has it been an easy path overall and if not, what were the challenges you’ve had to overcome?
Starting again my career in a different country was the biggest challenge so far. I was in the peak of my career in Brazil when I moved here without any work or contacts, struggling with the language and having to learn the way everything works here.

Alright, so let’s switch gears a bit and talk business. What should we know about your work?
I’m a composer, producer and musician. As a composer, I’m very versatile, I love to explore different genres. But I’m mostly known as a 7 string guitar player. The 7 string guitar is just like a classical guitar with one extra bass string that gives you a lot more possibilities. It’s a common instrument in Choro (the Brazilian jazz) but you can play everything on it.

I’m very proud that I was the music director of Elza Soares for many years. She was one of the most incredible singers I know. We made several tours through Europe and Americas and we recorded a great live album and her first dvd. She was nominated the singer of the millennium from BBC radio.

Having Brazilian music as a specialty and being able to work with many different styles makes me a unique player and composer.

What matters most to you?
My family without a doubt. I’m a very lucky guy surrounded by three very powerful, smart, lovely and talented girls, they’re the most important thing in my life. Everything I do, I’m thinking about them first.

Contact Info:

• Email: [email protected]
• Website: www.nandoduarte.net
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/nandovcd/

Image Credits:
2 and 7 – with my daughter Lia 3 – With Elza Soares 8 – With Melodie Gardot