Guitarist Plínio Fernandes signs to Decca Gold

Decca Gold has announced the signing of Brazilian guitarist Plínio Fernandes. Fernandes will release his first album of the partnership in July.

Born and raised in São Paulo, Brazil, 27-year-old Fernandes is a masters graduate of the Royal Academy of Music and is now based in London. His debut album of the partnership encompasses a wide range of repertoire, including work by Brazilian composers including Heitor Villa-Lobos Antônio, Carlos Jobim and Jacob do Bandolim.

Plínio said: ‘The title Saudade means nostalgia, longing for something, which is literally what I feel here. The way I connect to Brazil and my identity as a Brazilian artist is through music.’

Born into a family of musicians, Fernandes played as a guest soloist with the Campo Grande Symphony Orchestra at the age of 12 before receiving a full scholarship to attend the International Campos do Jordão Winter Festival from 2011 to 2014. He then moved to London to attend the Royal Academy of Music from 2014-2020, funded by the Brazilian Ministry of Education.

Plínio said: ‘It’s really a dream come true: the opportunity to be signed by Decca Gold. All my heroes recorded for the label, especially Andrés Segovia. Being the one chosen to carry through that legacy is amazing, but such a responsibility.’

Saudade will be released on 8 July and will include collaborations with special guests cellist Sheku Kanneh-Mason, violinist Braimah Kanneh-Mason and vocalist Maria Rita. The first track, Assanhado is available to stream now.

You can find out more about Decca Gold here.

You can find out more about Plínio Fernandes here.