Born in Rio de Janeiro (1970), the guitarist (electric and acoustic) João Castilho started playing at age 9. Since 1991, as a professional musician, he has performed with names like: Maria Bethânia (where he can be seen on the DVDs Maricotinha, Brasileirinho, and Tempo, Tempo, Tempo, Tempo), Djavan (where he can be seen on the DVD Ao Vivo, and on tours Bicho Solto o XIII, Ao Vivo, Vesúvio, Vidas Pra Contar e D), Ed Motta (who also served as music director), Lisa Nilsson (a very well-known Swedish singer throughout Scandinavia), Ivan Lins, Eumir Deodato, Roberto Carlos, Simone, Leny Andrade, Sandra de Sá (who also served as music director), Nana Caymmi, Zé Renato, Daniel Boaventura, Sandy & Junior, João Caetano, Mads Vinding (a Danish bass player), Alexandra Jackson, among others.

 

 In 1998, he released his first CD, "Equilibrium", In collaboration with bass player André Rodrigues and drummer Renato "Massa" Calmon, João Castilho published the guitar version of the book "Toque Junto" through Lumiar. With the same musician plus the saxophonist Marcelo Martins, Castilho formed the group FOCO, which had its first CD released in 2001 and the second, “Tempo Bom com Chuva” in 2007 by the record label Dubas.

 

Castilho also published a book called “Estudando Improvisação - a teoria explorada de forma musical” (Studying Improvisation - Theory Explored Musically), a new way of dealing with the study of improvisation.

 

In 2013, his second album, “Percepções” (Perceptions), was released. It has 10 original songs which served as inspiration or were inspired by photos taken by Tatiana Alves.

 

Alongside the composer and pianist Fernando Moura, he collaborated as a composer and musician for several TV and film musical tracks, among them "Casa Brasileira" (Brazilian House) for the GNT channel.

 

As a composer for theaters plays, he was responsible for the original tracks for "Maldito Coração – Me Alegra Que Tu Sofras" and for "O Pequeno Livros das Emoções Perdidas", staged by the actress Stela Celano.

 

Recently, Castilho released his new album called "Pra que a Pressa", which can be listened to on streaming platforms, and is also finishing a duo album with bassist Jefferson Lescowish.