Artist bio · 2026
Ricardo Herz
Violinist, composer, arranger, producer and researcher, Ricardo Herz is one of the leading voices of Brazilian popular violin. His language brings to the instrument the breathing pulse of the accordion, the growl of the rabeca — a traditional Brazilian folk fiddle — and the phrasing of choro, combining Brazilian and African rhythms with the freedom of improvisation.
Full artist bio
Ricardo Herz has developed a singular voice for the Brazilian violin. Inspired by the rabeca, accordion, mandolin and other traditional instruments, he makes the violin pulse through baião, choro, frevo, maracatu and a wide range of Brazilian rhythmic traditions. His work brings together popular culture, improvisation and original creation in an immediately recognisable language.
A graduate in classical violin from the University of São Paulo, he began his musical training at the age of six at Escola Fukuda in São Paulo. He also studied at Berklee College of Music in the United States and at the Centre des Musiques Didier Lockwood in France. This combination of rigorous training, international experience and continuous research became the technical and aesthetic foundation of his career.
This language extends to composition, arranging and music production. In his projects, Ricardo does more than perform: he creates repertoire, shapes the sonic architecture of each ensemble and guides the meeting of written music, improvisation and rhythm. His work changes with each context — from solo violin to trio, from duos to string ensembles and orchestras — without losing its identity.
Back in Brazil since 2010, he has built an authorial career also marked by encounters with major figures in Brazilian music. On stage and in the studio, he has collaborated with Yamandu Costa, Dominguinhos, Nelson Ayres, Nailor “Proveta” Azevedo, Antonio Loureiro, Samuca do Acordeon and Vanille Goovaerts, among many others.
Orchestral work also holds an important place in his career. As a soloist and composer, he has worked with Orquestra Jazz Sinfônica, Sphinx Virtuosi, the João Pessoa Symphony Orchestra, Orquestra SESI Mato Grosso, Orchestre Breusil and Camerata Romeu, bringing his original repertoire to orchestras and string ensembles.
Across 12 albums, his discography explores different line-ups while retaining a clear identity. Recent releases include Sonhando o Brasil (2024) with the Ricardo Herz Trio and Arcos Brasileiros (2026) with Vanille Goovaerts. His catalogue also includes duo encounters with Yamandu Costa, Nelson Ayres, Antonio Loureiro and Samuca do Acordeon, as well as Nova Música Brasileira para Cordas, recorded with Camerata Romeu. On many of these recordings, his signature is also present in the composition, arrangements and production.
In 2004, he was a finalist in the 7th Prêmio Visa de Música Brasileira – Instrumental, winning the Audience Award and placing third with the Official Jury. In 2021, he received the Prêmio Profissionais da Música in the categories Instrumental Artist and Instrumental Music Composer, returning in 2025 as Instrumental Artist. His work includes concerts, tours, festivals, residencies and educational activities in Brazil and abroad.
He is also a leading educator and advocate for Brazilian popular violin. In 2017, he launched the first online course devoted to the subject and has since led workshops, masterclasses and residencies for students and professionals interested in rhythm, improvisation and the resources of the Brazilian violin.
Recognition
Words from artists and mentors who closely followed the development of this language. Quotes translated from Portuguese.
“Full of sensitivity and virtuosity, swing and lyricism, Ricardo Herz is setting the record straight in the history of popular violin in Brazil. All with great musicality and the most striking trait of his personality on stage: charisma. A success with audiences and critics.”
“Ricardo is one of the finest young musicians around today — he really plays. He is a great force for Brazilian music and, besides being an excellent musician, has a unique ‘sauce’ when he plays violin in forró.”
“Brazilian Popular Violin is more than a perfect title for Ricardo Herz’s album. With a refined technique, he moves through baião, forró — sometimes sounding like a rabeca — sambas, choros and songs with the absolute authority and intimacy of someone who truly knows Brazil.”
“Brazilian music, his speciality, is magnificently represented here with originality, thanks to his great talent as a violinist.”
Professional materials
Biography, career, images and press documentation.