João Barradas, born 1992, is one of the most reputable and accomplished European accordionists, meandering between classical music, jazz and improvised music. He won some of the most prestigious competitions and awards, among them the highly acclaimed Made In New York Jazz Competition where he won the Solo Instrumental Category as well as the All Category Award.
His perfect pitch, sight-reading and excellent technique gave him the opportunity to act in various concert halls among the most famous accordionists, like Richard Galliano, amongst many others.
Barradas has collaborated with numerous renowned jazz musicians, such as Greg Osby, Gil Goldstein, Fabrizio Cassol, Mark Colenburg, Jacob Sacks, Rufus Reid, Federico Malaman, Philip Harper, Bobby Sanabria, Tommy Campbell, Sérgio Carolino, Pedro
Carneiro and many others.
As a contemporary accordionist, João Barradas has collaborated with composers Pedro Carneiro, Nuno da Rocha or Dimitris Andrikopoulos, amongst others.
In 2016, he recorded “Directions”, his first album as bandleader with the New Yorker label Inner Circle Music, produced by Greg Osby and with special participation of Gil Goldstein and Sara Serpa. „Directions“ was released 2017 by NISCHO Records.
Quotes
“The classical accordion is undergoing a 21st century renaissance – and Portuguese-born ECHO Rising Star João Barradas is in the vanguard.” – Barbican Centre
“A new name to look out for was accordion player João Barradas, who is one of the rising stars of a very interesting young Portuguese jazz scene. His music offers structure and freedom, freshness and exciting waves of melodies and rhythms.” – Jazzwise
“Barradas displayed an admixture of formidable chops, rhythmic legerdemain, a comprehensive vocabulary spanning Bach to Bird to … well, Osby …, and an unfailingly compositional sensibility.” – DownBeat Magazine/ Ted Panken
“Just Fantastic” – Randy Brecker
Brecker elected João Barradas as the Winner of Made in New York Jazz Competition in 2016
“I regard João Barradas as a beacon in the future development of accordion as a serious instrument. He is a master of all styles from classical repertoire and is the most convincing jazz improviser I have heard to date on the instrument.” – Gil Goldstein
“Didn’t think it’d be possible on accordion! Check out João Barradas” – Walter Smith III
“Amazing Young Musician” – Joe Lovano
Lovano elected João Barradas as the Winner of Made in New York Jazz Competition
Awards
2021 – Vodafone Prémios Play – Best Jazz Album Nominee
2020 – Portuguese Jazz Musician of The Year – Jazzlogical
2020 – 2nd Prize in 9th SPA / Antena 2 Composition Prize for Symphony Orchestra
2020 – BBC Music Magazine – Rising Star Nominee
2019 – ECHO Rising Star 2019/2020 by the European Concert Hall Organization
2018 – Best Jazz Group – Jazzlogical
2018 – Portuguese Jazz Musician of The Year – Jazzlogical
2018 – Merit Prize “IPL – Instituto Politécnico de Lisboa”
2017 – Downbeat’s Best Album of The Year Nominee – João Barradas “Directions”
2017 – RTP / Festa do Jazz – New Best Artist
2017 – RTP / Festa do Jazz – Best Group
2016 – 1st Prize – Young Musician Award – Jazz — Antena 2
2015 – 1st Prize – Made in New York Jazz Competition (All Categories)
2015 – 1st Prize – Made in New York Jazz Competition (Solo Instrumental)
2014 – 1st Prize – Folefest 2014
2013 – 1st Prize – 7th V-Accordion Festival Roland Iberia
2013 – 1st Prize – 11th Portuguese Jazz Fest
2013 – 1st Prize – Folefest 2013
2012 – 1st Prize – EDP Cool Jazz Talents
Awards (Accordeon)
2010 – 1st Prize – 63th Coupe Mondiale (CIA), Croatia – Junior Classical
2010 – 1st Prize – World Trophy of Accordion (CMA), Spain – Junior Classical
2010 – 1st Prize – International Prize of Accordion “City of Alcobaça”
2010 – 1st Prize – XVI National Trophy of Accordion, Junior Classic
2009 – 1st Prize – XV National Trophy of Accordion, Junior Classic
2008 – 1st Prize – XIV National Trophy of Accordion, Junior Classic
2007 – 1st Prize – World Trophy of Accordion (CMA), Russia – Junior Varietté
2007 – 1st Prize – IV Iberian Trophy of Accordion – Juvenile Classic
2007 – 1st Prize – IV Iberian Trophy of Accordion – Juvenile Varietté
2007 – 1st Prize – II Certame de Acordeons Cedeira, Spain – Júnior Varietté
2007 – 1st Prize – XIII National Trophy of Accordion – Juvenile Classic
2007 – 1st Prize – XIII National Trophy of Accordion – Juvenile Varietté
2006 – 1st Prize – III Iberian Trophy of Accordion – Juvenile Classical
2006 – 1st Prize – III Iberian Trophy of Accordion – Juvenile Varietté
2006 – 1st Prize – XII National Trophy of Accordion – Juvenile Classic
2006 – 1st Prize – XII National Trophy of Accordion – Juvenile Varietté
2006 – 1st Prize – I Cermame de Acordeons Cedeira, Spain – Classic Júnior
2005 – 1st Prize – XI National Trophy of Accordion – Juvenile Varietté
2004 – 1st Prize – 29th Int. “Città di Castelfidardo” Award, Italy – H Category
2003 – 1st Prize – 36th Int. Accordion Competition, Croatia – B Category
2002 – 1st Prize – VIII National Trophy of Accordion – Infantile Category
2001 – 1st Prize – 13th Accordion Festival of Barra Cheia
2000 – 1st Prize – 12th Accordion Festival of Barra Cheia
2000 – 1st Prize – VI National Trophy of Accordion – Initiated Category
