João Luís (b. 2000) is one of the leading young saxophone players of the most recent generation in Portugal. During his musical career, he has been acclaimed in several competitions, including a third place in the medium saxophone level of the Prémios Jovens Músicos, a second place in the senior category of the Oliveira de Azeméis International Wind Instruments Competition and a first place in the D Woodwinds category of the 6th Alto Minho International Wind Instruments Competition.

 

He began his musical studies at the Academia de Artes de Chaves in 2011 on saxophone in the class of Professor Bruno Nunes. From 2018 to 2023, João studied at the University of Aveiro. During that period, he achieved a Bachelor's degree in Music and a Master’s in Music Teaching with the well-known Portuguese saxophonist Fernando Ramos. 

 

From 2023, João continued his musical studies in Manchester. Last year, he finished with merit the Master’s in Music in Performance under the tutelage of the famous English saxophonist Rob Buckland at RNCM, being awarded an MMUS distinction. A few months ago, he also finished with merit a Postgraduate Diploma: Advanced Studies under the well-known saxophonist Naomi Sullivan. For this course, he was awarded a scholarship by the John Fewkes Instrumentalist Scholarships.

 

Currently, João is enrolled in the International Artist Diploma course at the Royal Northern College of Music, one of the most prestigious courses in the field of classical music performance.

 

During his musical career, he has had the opportunity to collaborate with various orchestras and bands, including the Wind Orchestra of the Chaves Academy of Arts. This collaboration has allowed him to perform at a high level in emblematic concert halls not only in Portugal but also in other countries, leading him to win numerous awards together with the orchestra. These include the Sala Suggia at Casa da Música, the Auditorium at EUROPARQUE, both Portuguese venues, Palau Altea Centre D’Arts in Spain, and Theater Kerkrade in the Netherlands.

 

Beyond his solo and accompanied-by-piano projects, João is a member of the FRACTAL Saxophone Quartet, the Contigo Saxophone Duo, the “SaxDão” Saxophone Orchestra and “Banda de Música de Belinho”.