François de Lima

François de Lima (valve trombone) started studying music at age 10 with teacher Francisco de Salles Oliveira, a professor at Mirim Band Rudge Ramos. At age 16 he had his first professional job alongside Maestros Eduardo Assad, Portinho, Elcio Alvares and Zezinho. At age 18 he joined the "Corrente de Força Group" which featured Pique Riverte (band-leader), a position he held from January, 1977 to February 1980. Around the same time, he was a member of Fabio Jr.´s band. In 1981 he worked with Roberto Carlos touring around Brazil and Latin America. In 1982, he was acclaimed by the critics (the best instrumental band of the year) alongside Nico Assumpcion, Carlinhos Bala, Paulo Bellinati e Paulo Calasans,

That same year he toured Europe and the middle east with Jorge Benjor (Portugal, Spain, Italy and Israel), playing in various jazz festivals. In Israel François recorded with singer Judith Ravitz who is one of the most popular Israeli singers.

In 1983 he returned to Europe and the middle east participating in concertos with Singer Ney Matogrosso in Portugal, at the Montreaux Jazz Festival in Switzerland and Israel.

After being invited by Lincoln Olivetti and Serginho Trombone, François went to Rio and joined their Brass ensemble which featured Márcio Montarroyos, Leo Gandelman, Bidinho and others. He also recorded several albums with various artists, while in Rio.

In 1984, he was invited by Maestro Louie Avelar to accompany singer Gal Costa, with shows in Panama, Montreaux Jazz Festival, Jazz Festival in France, Roma Jazz Festival, Festival de Jazz de Vitoria (Spain), Portugal and most importantly at the legendary temple of American jazz and show business, "Carnegie Hall". In 1986,
he was invited by Djavan to join the Sururu Capote band and also participated alongside Gal Costa for the Brazil-France cultural Exchange in Paris.

During this time he developed his work as a studio musician, recording numerous albums with Brazilian artists like Gilberto Gil, Caetano Veloso, Ney Matogrosso, Milton Nascimento, Daniela Mercury, Ivete Sangalo, Só pra Contrariar, Negritude Junior and Guinga, etc. He also recorded with international artists such as Julius Iglesias. François performed in several concerts with Brazilian artists such as Marina Lima, Leny Andrade, Emilio Santiago, Cauby Peixoto, Ângela Maria, Leila Pinheiro, Hermeto Pascoal and others. Was also part of the American singer Sherryl Lynn's Band (1982).

In 1986, François joined Flora Plurin and Airto Moreira and toured around Brazil with other American musicians.

At the end of Gal Costa's 1987 Tour, François joined the Rock Band "Capital Inicial". In the late 80s and early 90s, he began to develop his solo instrumental music project by forming the François de Lima Quintet which is a fusion of jazz and Brazilian music, participating as a special guest of the second International Meeting
of Jazz in Chile, Montevideo Jazz Festival, Jazz Festival Buenos Aires alongside great musicians like Johnny Coles, Fared Hake, Ariel Holland, Curtis Boyd, Mike Long, Arnie Lawrence and others.

François played with many great musicians such as César Camargo Mariano, Raul de Souza, Hermeto Pascoal, Paulo Moura, Wagner Tiso, Amilson Godoy, Nelson Aires, Laercio de Freitas, Maestro Branco, Dominguinhos, Paquito D' Rivera, Randy Brecker, George Benson and Ricardo Leon. In 1991, he was a founding member of the Sambop Brass along with Nailor Proveta and Walmir Gil.  This innovative group performed several shows that year. Around 1992, along with these friends, he initiated the Grammy nominated "Banda Mantiqueira" that remains today as reference in the Brazilian instrumental music scene. In 1996, he joined Djavan´s band which recorded and toured in Brazil, Europe and the United States.

From 2000 - 2006, François recorded 3 albums with Banda Mantiqueira and 2 more albums with Banda Mantiqueira and the São Paulo Symphony Orchestra.  This was a critically acclaimed encounter between popular and classical music. Currently, François is developing his solo work as an instrumental musician and arranger. He also participates in workshops, lectures, lessons and master-classes and at many festivals and musical encounters in Brazil.

In 2007, invited again by Djavan, he toured Brazil , Europe and the United States.

In 2010 he participated at the Jazz Festival of Friends in La Pedrera (Uruguay), representing Brazil with the instrumental group " Sambrasil". In the same year, along with Banda Mantiqueira, he played with Cuban pianist – composer, Gonzalo Rubalcaba.

In 2013 he returned as a solo artist with his François Lima Quartet “Brazilian Swing” and participated in several shows in Brazil and South America which included presentations at the CCPA Jazz Festival XVI (Asuncion - Paraguay in August 2013). In January 2014, he played at the La Calle Jazz Festival (Mercedes) in Uruguay and at the Bourbon Street Fest in São Paulo, Brazil.

Now he is in the pre-production stages of his new album - François de Lima “Brazilian Swing".