Mário Pacheco

Fado guitarist/composer Mario Pacheco's love for and mastery of folkloric Portuguese music was his destiny from the cradle. Son of famed guitarist António Pacheco (known to have collaborated with the genre's most notable figures), Mario was surrounded by the music from the very beginning and apprenticed in the style as soon as he could hold an instrument. Once old enough, the lessons learned at home were deepened during Pacheco's years of study of music theory and classical guitar at the Lisbon Academy of Music. Pacheco's study and dedication earned him a reputation as a brilliant accompanist and opportunities to perform with artists like Amalia Rodrigues, Hermínia Silva and Maria de Fe, to name only a few. As he grew and matured, Pacheco's compositional style became more distinct and rich. His repertoire began to be performed by well-established artists for the genre's largest audiences. His first recording was released in 1992, titled Un Outro Olhar. The album has become a landmark in Portuguese folkloric music, and was soon followed by other classics such as Música e a Guitarra. As a prominent figure in his nation's folk culture, Pacheco founded the Clube de Fado, a place where musical traditions are preserved and expounded upon by local and internationally visiting artists in daily sessions and discussions. Performing internationally, he continues to preserve and further fado and other folkoric musical traditions of his beloved Portugal. ~ Evan C. Gutierrez, Rovi