Notes by Dean Christopher

Multi-talented Rique Pantoja is a  composer, arranger, songwriter and jazz pianist. Born and raised in Rio de Janeiro, he has been based in Los Angeles for nearly two decades, He is in great demand worldwide for concerts, recordings, TV and film work and advertising projects. 

At 19 he moved to Boston to study at Boston’s Berklee College of Music (Mecca for many top young jazz musicians). After Berklee he traveled to Paris to work with legendary American jazz trumpeter Chet Baker. Back home in Brazil, his reputation preceding him, Rique quickly found acceptance among notable artists such as  Djavan, Ivan Lins, Gilberto Gil, Gal Costa, Chico Buarque, João Bosco, Tim Maia, Milton Nascimento and other headliners in Brazilian music. At that time he also founded Cama de Gato (“Cat’s Cradle”), which quickly became –  and remains – one of the outstanding Brazilian jazz groups of that era and bestseller instrumental group 1986/87.

Rique has worked with many other heavyweights on the international musical scene: Alejandro Sanz, Carlos Santana, sax master Sadao Watanabe, Ricky Martin, classical guitarist Christopher Parkening, Abraham Laboriel, Justo Almario, Luis Conte, Lee Ritenour, Kirk Whalum, Steps Ahead -Mike Mainieri, Brenda Russell, Grammy winner Israel Houghton, Frank Gambale and Alex Acuña, among many others (see the attached list).

Complete List
Caleb Quaye, Bebe Winans, Judith Hill, Airto Moreira, Flora Purim, Kenny Obrien, KC Porter, Chaka Blackmon, Mauricio Guerrero, Sadao Watanabe, Celso Fonseca, Steve Tavaglione, John Peña, Mike Mainieri, Vinnie Collaiuta, Don Grusin, Kevin Lettau, Melvin Davis, Rob Lockhart, Gary Novak, Ricky Lawson, Alex Acuña, Richie Garcia, Luis Conte, Paulinho da Costa, Steve Smith, Abraham Laboriel, Justo Almario, Frank Gambale, Romero Lubambo, Joe DiBlasi, Claudio Roditi, Luciana Sousa, Jerry Watts, Darek Oles, David Enos, Nilson Matta, Brian Bromberg, Randy Tico, Toninho Horta, Ricardo Silveira, Rick Zunigar, Heitor Pereira, Peter Sprague, Doug Jackson, MItchel Long, Alex Al, Arthur Maia, Jacques Morelembau, Linda MCcrary, Abraham McDonald, Mike Shapiro, Oskar Cartaya, Jeff Elliot, Jimmy Johnson, Tony Levin, Pedro Eustache, Nicola Stilo, Steve Houben, Don Harris, Enzo Todesco, Kevin Ricard, Jamey Haddad, Will Kennedy, Russ Miller, Dave Weckl, Wolfgang Haffner, Steps Ahead, Sheila E., Jimmy Earl, Joel Taylor, Akira Jimbo, Joe Heredia, Pedro Aznar, Sekou Bunch, Nico Assumpção, Hussain Jiffry, John Leftwich, Keith Jones, Grecco Buratto, Guillermo Guzman, Ric Fierabracci, Andrew Ford, Don Patterson, Andrew Gouche, Gustavo Erazo, Dean Taba, Cedric Lee,
David Hughes, Phil Perry, Brandon Fields, Bob Sheppard, Doug Webb, Eric Marienthal, Gary Herbig, Robert Kyle, Lou Pardini,, Gary Meek, Tony Guerrero, Walter Rodrigues, Julio Figueroa, Aaron Serfaty, John Ferraro, Eric Boseman, Doug Mathews, Jeff Askew, Michito Sanchez, Ephraim Toro, Walfredo Reyes Jr., Danny Reyes, Kevin Winard, Bernie Dressel, Bill Maxwell, Aldo Bentivegna, Ron Benise, Torcuato Mariano, Michael Oneill, Ramon Stagnaro, John Pisano, Juan Carlos Quintero, Marcus Gerakos, Tony Dumas, Art Webb, Nestor Torres, Lori Bell, Ingrid Chun, Irio de Paula, Richard Galliano, Morgan Ames, Luiz de Aquino, Claudio Slon, Octavio Bailly, Jim Porto, JoHan Kim, Helen Baylor, Zoe Theodorou, Christine Miller, Heritage Singers, Teka Penteriche, Marisela, Alvaro Torres, Luizão Maia, Jorge Degas, Robertinho Silva, Ronaldo Silva, Vanderlei Silva, Boto, Sizão Machado, Carlos Bala, Armando Marçal, Marcelo Martins, Paulo Braga, Café, Teo Lima, Wilson Meirelles, Widor Santiago, Bob Wyatt, Idriss Boudrioua, João de Aquino, Raphael Rabelo, Moacir Santos, Zé Nogueira, Jurim Moreira, Wilson das Neves, Raul Mascarenhas, Mauro Senise, João Batista, Cidinho Moreira, Jamil Joanes, Pixinga, Lincoln Olivetti, Eraldo Melo, Liminha, Helio Delmiro, Pascoal Meireles, Jota Moraes, Cassio Duarte, Kleber Jorge, Mingo Araujo, Victor Biglione, Filó Machado, Lea Freire, Rogerio Bocatto, João Alexandre, Armandinho, Baby Consuelo, Zizi Possi, Joanna, Paulinho da Viola, Chico Buarque, Tim Maia, Martinho da Vila, Celia Vaz, Beth Carvalho, Alcione....

Rique’s work embraces a wide range of musical styles, from jazz to modern classical to pop to gospel music, but no matter what the genre, his distinctive stylings are recognizable for their cool beat, unmistakable passion, sophisticated harmonic voicings and highly original melodic lines.

Because of this diversity of output, Rique has made his mark not just in Brazil and the U.S., but also on the worldwide music scene. In 2008, his tune “I Believed It,” written with Zoë Theodorou, won the prestigious Covenant Award  in Canada as  “Jazz/Blues Song of the Year.”

Rique has also composed and arranged themes and underscoring for hit TV shows like “Lifestyles Of The Rich And Famous,” “Santa Barbara,” “Roque Santeiro,” “Another World” –  as well as TV and radio jingles for major brands such as Coca Cola, Honda, Shell Oil, Globo Reporter, deBeers Diamonds, Pepsi Cola, Nissan, Toshiba, Guaraná Brahma and Marie Claire.

His music appears on the soundtrack of Disney’s hit comedy, “Jungle 2 Jungle” and the 2010 movie “Coming And Going” (directed by Edoardo Ponti) also features his work. Recently Rique was part of the musical soundtrack of the animation “ Rio” with Sergio Mendes and film composer John Powell.

As if that were not enough to keep him busy, Rique has still another life as a respected music educator! He teaches courses at Southern California’s Biola University; leads workshops at Maranatha Worship Training and the Los Angeles Music & Performance (LAMP) School – Audiograph – AGI  besides offering master classes at a number of  schools , including Pepperdine University’s Malibu campus.

Pantoja’s Salseada appears on the Yamaha Drum module DTXtreme instrument line. Endorsement with M-Audio, , iZotope and Melodyne.

 
1
1988 Valencia, Spain Rique on Milton's tour
 
2
1992 Los Angeles, Danny Reyes, Rique and Randy Tico.
 
3
1988 Kopenhagen, Celso Fonseca, Milton Nascimento and Rique
 
4
88 Montreux Festival, Carlos Santana, Milton Nascimento, Celso Fonseca and Rique Pantoja
 
5
1988 London, Rique and Eric Clapton backsatge after Milton's concert
 
6
2005 Los Angeles , with Alejandro Sanz before the concert.
 
7
2005 Justo Almario, Rique and Abraham Laboriel
 
8
1992 with Ricardo Silveira, Lou Pardini,Fernando Girão,Cassio Duarte, John Patitucci while playing at Le Café
 
9
2006 Los Angeles, producer Chaka Blackmon and Russ Miller
 
10
2006, Christopher Parkening and producer David Thomas at Capitol Studios,reording Rique's composition Lamento Suite.
 
11
1992 Los Angeles, Armando Marçal, Ivan Lins and Cassio Duarte backstage Pat Metheny's
 
12
Jose Boto, Chet Baker, Rique Pantoja, Richard Galliano & Michel Peyratout. at Studios Davout - Paris 1980
 
13
1988 Brussels, Belgium with Cama de Gato
 
14
Rique 2004
 
15
2008 Gilberto Gil at the Hollywood Bowl - remembering when we played together from 81-82
 
16
Frank Gambale, Ernie Watts & Rique Pantoja Brazil tour 1999.
 
17
1988 New York , Arthur Maia, Rique , Pascoal Meirelles, Mauro Senise and Hermeto Pascoal at Avery Fischer Hall.
 
18
1994 Los Angeles, Ivan Lins, Ricardo Silveira, Rique and Toninho Horta.
 
19
2005 Vinnie Collaiuta and Neil Stubihausen @ Alejando Sanz Concert
 
20
1987 São Paulo, Milton Nascimento and Rique.
 
21
2005 Angola, Africa - Franklin Graham cruzade - Linda Mcrary, John Barbour, Alfie Silas and Tommy Coomes.
 
22
2008 - Rique and Israel Houghton (recipient of Grammy 2008 on Gospel Music )
 
23
2008 Concert with Toninho Horta in Beverly Hills Resonance Recs. Studio
 
24
1986 Rio,with legendary Jazz Master - " Joe Pass " at an Improvisation workshop.
 
25
1989 Los Angeles, recording session with Ernie Watts
 
26
1987 Los Angeles, with Don Grusin
 
27
1993 Los Angeles Live at "Le Cafe" with Dave Weckl
 
28
2005 Los Angeles, Convention Center - Darlene Zchesch
 
29
2005 Angola, Africa after the Concert
 
30
1986 Rio de Janeiro, Jazzmania with Sadao Watanabe
 
31
1986 Rio de Janeiro, receiving Brahma Music Award from Monique Gardenberg
 
32
J2004 Riverside, with Jerry Watts, Art Rodriguez, Steve Tavaglione and Rick Zunigar
 
33
1988 Lisbon, Portugal with Celso Fonseca
 
34
2005 Pasadena, Studio with Kevin Ricard,Will Kennedy,Tim Davis, John Peña,Grecco Buratto and Max Mace
 
35
2005 Los Angeles, NAMM Bob Wilson and Finn Johnston
 
36
1985 Rio de Janeiro, Studio session with Ernie Watts
 
37
1985 Rio de Janeiro, Ernie Watts Master class.
 
38
1985 Rio de Janeiro, Free Jazz Chet Baker
 
39
1985 Rio de Janeiro, Free Jazz Festival
 
40
1985 Rio de Janeiro, Jazz Festival Rique and Chet Baker
 
41
Rio 1985 Free Jazz Festival
 
42
1985 RIo de Janeiro playing with Chet Baker
 
43
1989 Rio de Janeiro, Jazzmania with Raul Mascarenhas, Don Harris, Paulinho trumpete and Ze Nogueira.
 
44
1988 Los Angeles, Arthur Maia, Alex Acuña, Rique, Don Grusin, Ricardo Silveira and Chico Neves.
 
45
2006 Los Angeles, Rique and Torcuato Mariano
 
46
2004 Los Angeles, Rique and Larry Dennis .
 
47
1988 New York, Rique and Arthur Maia
 
48
1986 Rio de Janeiro, Jazzmania with Paulo Moura and Sadao Watanabe
 
49
2003 Linz, Austria Rique and Ephraim Toro
 
50
1990 Los Ageles, Rique and Sergio Mielniczenko.
 
51
2003 Los Angeles, Ford Theater with Luizão Maia and maestro Moacir Santos.
 
52
1985 Rio de Janeiro , Free Jazz festival with Moacir Santos and Luizão Maia
 
53
2004 Los Angeles, Session with Dave Thomasson, Eric Malbach, Pierre Michelou, Rique and Arturo Velasco
 
54
2006, Israel Houghton RP
 
55
1992 Los Angel;es, Jamil Joanes, Gilson Peranzeta, Marcos Ariel , Rique and Yutaka.
 
56
Cama de Gato at the Paris Jazz Festival
 
57
1989 Paris, Cama de Gato in Concert.
 
58
1989 Rio de Janeiro, rehearsal with Cama de Gato
 
59
Cama de Gato
 
60
2006 Los Angeles , Session film 48 Angels -Larry Dennis, Curtis Thompson and Louis Cox
 
61
2006 - Flying a DC3 over Namibia in Africa.
 
62
2006 Los Angeles, Producer Kenny Obrien & Rique
 
63
Pyramid Cancun 2006
 
64
1980 Taormina, Sicily , Italy concert with Chet Baker
 
65
1980 Ischia, Itally concert with Chet Baker
 
66
1989 Japan Keyboard Magazine, Milton Tour
 
67
1986 Duo Rique Pantoja and Raul Mascarenhas
 
68
1985 Tim Maia records Rique's song Sem Volta
 
69
O Globo
 
70
Free Jazz ad.
 
71
Jazziz French magazine
 
72
1984 New York Times , Rique musical director for Djavan
 
73
1989 Rique's CD release in Japan ( Keyboard Magazine )
 
74
1990 Cama de Gato CD release
 
75
1990 Cama de Gato CD release
 
76
1990 Osaka, Japan Rique Pantoja Group
 
77
Rique and Helio Delmiro
 
78
1986 Free Jazz Festrival ad Opening for Ray
 
79
1986 Free Jazz Festrival ad
 
80
1990 New York City , Town Hall
 
81
1996 - Tour through Switzerland, Austria and Germany.
 

82
1990 -Cama de Gato - O Globo
 
83
2005 Los Angeles, NAMM with Freddy Ravel and Brian Culberson
 
84
2005 Alejandro Sanz showing me a new song.
 
85
2005 , Pasadena CA , Heritage singers project, Art Mapa, Rique, Kevin Ricard ,, Will Kennedy, John Peña , Max Mace , Tim Davis and Grecco Buratto.
 

86
2005 Jubilant Sykes and Rique at Capitol Rec. studios.
 
87
2005 In Studio with Julio Figueroa.
 
88
2007 Justo Almario in studio for Big Band session - Andre Mingas project
0

89
2006 Christopher Parkening recording of Lamento and Ciranda Bambole.
 

90
2006 Christmas evening Michael Fash and Rique .. 4 hands piano.
 

91
2007 Los Angeles, @ Mauricio Geuerrero's Studio with Guillermo Guzman.
 

92
2007 with Paul Baloche at Saddleback church Worship Conference.
 

93
2003 - Taipei - Taiwan with Todd Robinson and Judy after Chuck Hong's Concert
 

94
2006 Aaron Lindsey from New Breed and Rique
 

95
1990 - Concerts in Osaka- Japan
 

96
2007 L.A., Big Band recording session arranged by Rique for Andre Mingas - Angola - Africa
 

97
2005 Los Angeles, Eric Boseman, Zoe Theodorou, Alex Acuña.
 

98
2008- Ricky Lawson and Rique at NAMM show.
 

99
2007 Cantos Museum of Pianos in Calgary, Canada • Elton John's piano where he wrote " Your Song"( gift to the museum )
 

100
Rique Live in LA CD cover photo
 
2005 Rome, Italy with Michaele Ascolese and Tony Melaranci
 
2005 Los Angeles, Rique with Suzanne and Tim Ryan M-Audio
 
2009 NAMM Show ,Walter Rodriguez, Juan Carlos Quintero, Aron Serfaty,Rique and Otmaro Ruiz, .
 
Portugues

Rique Pantoja é um compositor brasileiro, arranjador e pianista de jazz. Nascido no Rio de Janeiro, reside há anos em Los Angeles, aonde é bastante requisitado pelo seu talento, não apenas na indústria da música mas também no cinema e na publicidade .

Aos 18 anos deixou o Rio para estudar na famosa escola de música Berklee em Boston. Ao concluir os estudos, mudou-se para Paris aonde trabalhou com Chet Baker, o aclamado trumpetista de jazz. De volta ao Brasil apresentou-se e gravou com Djavan, Gilberto Gil, Gal Costa, Chico Buarque, João Bosco e Milton Nascimento, entre outros luminares da MPB. Nessa época criou o Cama de Gato, grupo – ainda hoje famoso – de música instrumental brasileira (Brazilian Jazz).

Rique já se apresentou com nomes de peso do olimpo musical: Alejandro Sanz, Carlos Santana, Sadao Watanabe, Ricky Martin, Abraham Laboriel, Justo Almario, Lee Ritenour, Kirk Whalum, Israel Houghton (Grammy 2008/09/10}, Christopher Parkening, Frank Gambale e Alex Acuña entre outros ( ver lista ao lado ).

Suas gravações passeiam por diferentes gêneros musicais que vão do contemplativo ao Jazz, mas seu estilo se destaca sobretudo pela suave batida originária da bossa-nova, onde se aliam belas vocalizações e harmonias sofisticadas. Não há dúvida que Rique imprimiu sua marca na cena musical brasileira e no resto do mundo, tal a diversidade de seu talento. Em 2008 , uma de suas composições. “I believed it”   em parceria com Zoë Theodorou , ganhou no Canadá, o prêmio  Covenant Awards  - Jazz/Blues Song of the year ( Melhor canção do ano).

Rique também se destaca como educador no Conservatório de Música da Biola University em Los Angeles, e como diretor musical realizou cursos para o Maranatha Worship Training,  Los Angeles Music & Performance
(LAMP School) e Master Class na Pepperdine University em Malibu, Califórnia.

Compôs e fez arranjos para temas e shows na televisão como “Roque Santeiro”, “Lifestyles of the Rich and Famous”, “Santa Barbara” e “Another World”, e comerciais de TV para grandes empresas como Coca Cola, Guaraná Brahma, Fundação Roberto Marinho, Globo Reporter, Honda, Shell Oil, Pepsi Cola, de Beers e Marie Claire.  Na trilha sonora do sucesso da Disney “Jungle 2 Jungle” pode-se ouvir uma de suas composições . Em 2011 Rique participou cantando na trilha sonora do desenho animado “Rio” e também do filme “Coming and Going” com três temas de sua autoria.