© Marianne Harlé / Fundação Calouste Gulbenkian
About
João Barradas stands out as one of the most creative musicians on the European accordion scene, moving simultaneously between classical and improvised music.
He gave the first-ever accordion recitals in concert halls such as the Wiener Konzerthaus, the Calouste Gulbenkian Foundation and the Festival d'Aix-en-Provence and performs as a soloist with the London Philharmonic Orchestra, the Tonhalle-Orchester Zurich, the Symphoniker Hamburg and the Cologne Chamber Orchestra, under the direction of prestigious conductors such as Edward Gardner, Alondra de la Parra, Sylvain Cambreling and Christoph Poppen.
In the world of Jazz, he has increased the presence of his instrument by collaborating with some of the most important contemporary improvisers, such as: Mark Turner, Peter Evans, Aka Moon, Greg Osby, Mike Stern, Rufus Reid, David Binney, Gil Goldstein and even in larger groups such as the Brussels Jazz Orchestra .
He was nominated ECHO Rising Star by the European Concert Hall Organization in 2019. This current season he will be the Artist in Residence at Casa da Música, Porto and was awarded the Sir Jeffrey Tate Award in Germany.
Accolades
2024 - Artist in Residency - Casa da Música
2024 - The Symphoniker Hamburg's Sir Jeffrey Tate Prize
2023 - Vodafone Prémios Play - Best Classical Music Album Nominee
2022 - Vodafone Prémios Play - Best Classical Music Album Nominee
2021 - Vodafone Prémios Play - Best Jazz Album Nominee
2020 - Portuguese Jazz Musician of The Year - Jazzlogical
2020 - 2nd Prize in 9th SPA / Antena 2 Composition Prize for Symphony Orchestra
2020 - BBC Music Magazine - Rising Star Nominee
2019 - ECHO Rising Star 2019/2020 by the European Concert Hall Organization
2018 - Best Jazz Group - Jazzlogical
2018 - Portuguese Jazz Musician of The Year - Jazzlogical
2018 - Merit Prize "IPL - Instituto Politécnico de Lisboa"
2017 - Downbeat's Best Album of The Year Nominee - João Barradas "Directions"
2017 - RTP / Festa do Jazz - New Best Artist
2017 - RTP / Festa do Jazz - Best Group
2016 - 1st Prize - Young Musician Award - Jazz
2015 - 1st Prize in Made in New York Jazz Competition (All Categories)
2015 - 1st Prize in Made in New York Jazz Competition (Solo Instrumental Category)
2014 - The Best Interpreter Award – Folefest 2014
2014 – 1st Prize Folefest 2014
2013 – 1st Prize in 7th V-Accordion Festival Roland Iberia
2013 – 1st Prize at 11th Festa do Jazz do Teatro S. Luiz, Lisbon
2013 - The Best Interpreter Award– Folefest 2013
2013 – 1st Prize Folefest 2013
2012 – 1st Prize EDP Cool Jazz Talents, Portugal
2010 – 1st Prize in 60th World Accordion Trophy (CMA), Spain – Juvenile Classical
2010 – 1st Prize in the 63rd World Cup Accordion (CIA), Croatia, Juvenile Classical
2010 – 1st Prize in 16th National Accordion Trophy, category Juvenile Concert
2010 – 1st Prize in International Accordion Award “Cidade de Alcobaça”
2010 - Special Prize “Pigini Accordions” in 63rd CIA Coupe Mundial (Croatia)
2009 – 1st Prize in 15th National Accordion Trophy, category Juvenile Concer
2008 – 1st Prize in 14th National accordion Trophy, category Juvenile Concert
2008 - Honorary Mention as instrumentalist/soloist, at 7th Festa do Jazz at São Luiz.
2007 - 1st Prize in 57th World Accordion Trophy (CMA), Russia, Junior Varietté
2007 - Honorary Mention of Vitorino Matono Music Institution
2007 - Merit Medal by Benavente Municipality
2007 - Ambassador by Town Council of Samora Correia for Portugal and abroad.
2007 – 1st Prize in 13th National Accordion Trophy, category Light Juvenile
2007 –1st Prize in 13th National Accordion Trophy, category Juvenile Concert
2007–1st Prize 2nd Accordion Contest, Acordeons de Vila de Cedeira, Spain, Junior
2007 – 1st Prize in 4th Iberian Accordion Trophy, category Light Juvenile
2007 – 1st Prize in 4th Iberian Accordion Trophy, category Juvenile Concert
2006 – 1st Prize in 12th National Accordion Trophy, category Light Juvenile
2006 – 1st Prize in 12th National Accordion Trophy, category Juvenile Concert
2006 – 1st Prize in 3rd Iberian Accordion Trophy, category Light Juvenile
2006 – 1st Prize in 3rd Iberian Accordion Trophy, category Juvenile Concert
2006 –1st Prize in Vila de Cedeira, 1st Accordion Contest, Spain, category Junior Classica
2005 –1st Prize in 11th National Accordion Trophy, category Light Juvenile
2004 –1st Prize in 29th International “Citta di Castelfidardo”Award, Italy, category H
2004 - Special Prize “Intermusik Schmulling” (Germany)
2004 - André Thepaz Prize (Italy)
2003 – 1st Prize in 36th International Accordion Competition, Croatia, category B
2002 – 1st Prize in 8th National Accordion Trophy, category Infantile
2002 - One of the Winners of “Bravo Bravíssimo", talent contest on Portuguese TV SIC
2001 – 1st Prize in 13th Accordion Festival Barra Cheia
2000 – 1st Prize in 12th Accordion Festival Barra Cheia
2000 – 1st Prize in 6th National Accordion Trophy, category Initiated
© Vera Marmelo / Culturgest
Music
Selected Discography
His extensive discography as a leader, co-leader, sideman, guest artist and producer includes several
prize-winning recordings and features solo recitals, live concerts, chamber music, concerti and guest appearances – on the Alpha Classics, Warner Music, Fuga Libera, Inner Circle Music, Nischo Records, Outhere Music, Clean Feed, Sony Music and various other labels.
© Vera Marmelo / Culturgest
VIDEOGRAPHY
João Barradas | CONTINUUM (Documentary)
Gallery
© Alfredo Matos / Centro Cultural de Belém
Press
© Vera Marmelo / Culturgest
Downbeat Magazine
4,5/5*****
The nimble young accordionist acquits himself like the new, true musical sensation his nascent reputation promises him to be. - Josef Woodard
BBC Music Magazine
BBC Music Magazine Rising Star
Bandcamp
Barradas makes the conventional piece sound just a little bit strange, and makes the strange sound like something oddly familiar, and is more likely to find a home on a playlist that includes post-jazz types like Claudia Quintet and Alban Darche. Barradas occasionally switches over to a synth accordion, which is a real treat. That can also be said about Mark Turner’s contribution on tenor sax. - The Best Jazz on Bandcamp by Dave Summer
Jazzwise
A new name to look out for was accordion player João Barradas, who is one of the rising stars of a very interesting young Portuguese jazz scene. His music offers structure and freedom, freshness and exciting waves of melodies and rhythms.
Barbican Centre
The classical accordion is undergoing a 21st century renaissance – and Portuguese-born ECHO Rising Star João Barradas is in the vanguard
Letzebuerger Journal
Like a Spiritual Act
Town Hall and Symphony Hall Birmingham
Joao Barradas is something of a superstar already. A young Portuguese soloist who’s out to rewrite the rules about what an accordion can do, he moves with effortless style between the worlds of classical and Jazz
Time Out
10 Jazz Accordion players you must listen.
Jazz Magazine
L’accordéoniste a publié cette année l’album « Portraits », avec Mark Turner en lieu et place de Ben Van Gelder. Ce jazz, européen par ses formes et sa sensibilité, est plein de virages imprévus, négociés en douceur, sans les déflagrations soniques prisées par nombre de jeunes loups. Barradas a des phrasés rapides, à la manière d’un pianiste. Cela se vérifie d’autant plus lorsqu’il joue sur une version MIDI de l’accordéon, des sonorités de piano électrique remplaçant alors celles du traditionnel instrument. L’illusion est totale, on croit entendre un pianiste particulièrement inspiré. Mais on n’aperçoit nul pianiste sur scène… Les notes sortent bien des mains du leader.
Vice
23 essential moments in Portuguese music in this millennium
France Musique
Les derniers coups de cœur discographiques de l’année 2021 - par Corinne Schneider.
La Libre
Qui aurait cru qu’un accordéoniste trouverait sa place dans ce volcan des Grands lacs qu’est Aka Moon ? Eh bien c’est fait : João Barradas combine des sons de synthé ou de piano électrique sur un instrument préparé. Sur l’autre, plus traditionnel, il défriche de nouveaux territoires, pionnier du piano à bretelles avec plus d’un souffle d’avance.
Luxemburger Wort
The title “Rising Star” finally appears as too big an understatement for what Barradas can show live and for which he always gets the greatest applause between the pieces. - Daniel Conrad
Público
A monument that will go down in Portuguese jazz history. - Nuno Catarino
Jazzlogical
Portuguese Musician of The Year (2020 and 2017)
Sábado
João Barradas proves to be the best jazz accordionist today - Nuno Rogeiro
Jazz.pt
Rarely has a debut album made such an impact
Nasze Miasto
The portuguese trio led by young accordionist João Barradas played phenomenal - Tomasz Rozwadowski
Bodyspace
This record is already a mark in the history of Portuguese jazz - Nuno Catarino
DistritoJazz
Phe-no-me-nal
The Jazz Breakfast
The accordion trio led by Joao Barradas from Portugal was at its most impressive when Barradas was creating sounds not normally associated with the accordion
A Forma do Jazz
20 records that have marked the Portuguese contemporary jazz scene in the last 20 years
Shifter
The young Portuguese accordionist delighting international critics
Observador
This could be one of the great records of Portuguese jazz in recent years
Klassic Begeistert
João Barradas impresses with virtuoso accordion playing.
Barradas worked his way through the mighty Passacaglia in C minor, concentrated and inspired. - Guido Marquardt