Rodrigo
Pinheiro

Rodrigo Pinheiro is a pianist, improviser and composer based in Lisbon. Over more than two decades he has become a central figure in the Portuguese free improvisation, experimental music and free jazz scene, notably as a member of RED trio. His recordings, released on labels such as Clean Feed and NoBusiness, have been singled out among the best jazz albums of the year by publications including The Wire, The New York City Jazz Record, Público and Jazz.pt.

He began his musical studies at the age of five at the conservatory in Covilhã, Portugal. For many years he has studied with pianist Anne Kaasa, and classical training remains a constant reference in his work. He deepened his study of improvisation with Carlos Zíngaro, Peter Kowald, Günter Müller, Nuno Rebelo and Patrick Brennan. He has collaborated with musicians such as John Butcher, Axel Dörner, Nate Wooley, Joe McPhee, Thomas Lehn, Lotte Anker, Mattias Ståhl, Keir Neuringer and Peter Evans, performing in venues and festivals across Europe and the United States. He also writes music for film and theater.

His current projects include the quintet hyper.object, the trios Linae and Cloud at Rest, Rhizome — a trio with cellist Daniel Levin and double bassist Hernâni Faustino — Transition Unit, and a duo with Pedro Carneiro, alongside his ongoing solo work. In 2022 he founded Phonogram Unit, a Lisbon-based label dedicated to experimental, improvised and electro-acoustic music.