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Joao Lenhari

Doc, trumpet player, arranger, and educator based in Montreal, musical director - Udem Big Band Prof. Invité UdeM

About Me

João Lenhari is a Brazilian trumpeter, composer, arranger, and educator based in Montreal. He is the first to receive a doctorate in Jazz Performance from the University of Montreal, having studied with Canadian legend Ron Di Lauro, for whom he served as musical director of the university's Big Band in 2023. Recognized as an arranger, Lenhari has worked with groups and artists such as Nelson Ayres Big Band, Brasil Jazz Sinfônica, Banda Urbana, Leticia Persilles, Diogo Ramos, and Taïs Reganelli, in addition to being a two-time finalist for the Prêmio Profissionais da Música (Music Professionals Award). He has also composed and scored film and television series, including the feature film Chacrinha, the feature film Velho Guerreiro, the short film Inevitável, and the Netflix miniseries Os Donos do Jogo. In 2024, he launched the João Lenhari Brazilian Big Band project, exploring new sounds within the universe of Brazilian music and jazz. In 2025, he recorded an album in São Paulo with some of Brazil's greatest musicians and a duet with pianist Manoel Vieira. Both will be released in 2026, solidifying Lenhari as yet another creative voice in contemporary Brazilian jazz.

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My Jazz Story

I love jazz because it is the most artistic way to express yourself through the music. I was first exposed to jazz when I was in my home town and a friend showed me a K7 tape of the Buddy Rich tribute concert. At that moment I knew I would love jazz and big band music. The best jazz show I attended was Esperanza Spalding in Montreal this year. This show was the most pure art manifestation that I could see live. The first album I bought was the Cad Memorial Album, by Clifford Brown. When I listened him for the first time I knew that was the reference point for the life as a trumpet player. Technique and sensibility so well played. My advice to new listeners is just, feel the music, don't try to understand it at the beginning, just feel it. The more and more you are familiar with jazz, more and more you Will notice that the great masters are genius.