Updated: January 2, 2025
Born: July 30, 1976
Cassio Vianna is a pianist, arranger, music educator, clinician, and an award-winning composer whose work reflects a broad range of musical and cultural influences. Born and raised in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, Vianna started his music studies in classical music, while developing his skills as a composer and interpreter of popular music and Brazilian jazz. Between 1993 and 1995, Vianna studied under Hungarian teacher Ian Guest, who had a great impact on Vianna's decision to pursue a career as a composer.
From 1996 to 2009, Vianna engaged in recording and performing projects in the vibrant Rio de Janeiro music scene, including a successful career with the Brazilian jazz trio Dialeto Brasileiro. In 2009, Vianna moved to the U.S. to further his music studies.
Cassio Vianna holds a Bachelor of Music degree from Universidade Federal do Estado do Rio de Janeiro (Uni-Rio), a Master of Music degree from Western Oregon University, and a Doctor of Arts degree in Jazz Studies from the University of Northern Colorado, where he studied with David Caffey.
Vianna’s arrangements have been performed by artists such as Eric Marienthal, Chris Potter, Ernie Watts, Martha Reeves, Tony Kadleck, Greg Gisbert, Brad Goode, the United States Army Field Band (Jazz Ambassadors), the UNC/Greeley Jazz Festival All-Star Big Band, and the Colorado Jazz Repertory Orchestra, among others.
His most recent albums include Letters to Grace: A Song Cycle (2011) and Infância (2017). His latest CD with the Cassio Vianna Jazz Orchestra is titled Vida; the album will be released in january 2025 and features guest saxophonist Eric Marienthal.
Cassio Vianna lives in Tacoma, WA, where he is the Director of Jazz Studies, Associate Professor of Music at Pacific Lutheran University. Vianna is a member of the Recording Academy, the Latin Recording Academy, the National Association for Music Education (NAfME), the Washington Music Educators Association (WMEA), the International Society of Jazz Arrangers & Composers (ISJAC), and the Jazz Education Network (JEN).
Awards
2024 Artist Trust (Seattle), grant winner.
2024 Tacoma Arts Initiative Program, grant winner.
Outstanding New Instrumental Composition, International Society of Jazz Arrangers and Composers (ISJAC, 2017);
2016 National Band Association Jazz Composition Competition, winner.
2015-2016 Ithaca College Jazz Ensemble Composition Contest Ithaca, NY (January, 2016), Winner/
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Cassio Vianna Jazz Orchestra: Vida
by Jack Bowers
As you can't always describe a book by its cover, neither can you invariably pinpoint with accuracy a jazz ensemble's locale by its name alone. The Cassio Vianna Jazz Orchestra, to choose a random example, is not from Italy--nor from anywhere else in Europe. Although born in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, Cassio Vianna has lived in the United States since 2009 and is, in fact, a music educator and director of Jazz Studies at Pacific Lutheran University in Tacoma, Washington, ...
Continue ReadingCassio Vianna: Infância
by Jack Bowers
As composer / arranger Cassio Vianna was born and raised in Rio de Janeiro, an argument could be made that there is rhythm in his genes. The notion is underscored on Infancia, Vianna's debut recording as leader of his well-schooled Jazz Orchestra, a bright and thematic excursion on which the seductive rhythms of his native Brazil carry the day. Infancia (Portuguese for “childhood") opens with a handsome three-part suite focused on that singular time of life: “The Nomad" ...
Continue Reading"It is clear that Vianna is a master of his craft [...] Vianna, a remarkable composer and arranger, leads an orchestra that is beyond reproach. Little wonder, then, that Vida stands as one of the foremost big-band albums of the year." - Jack Bowers, All About Jazz.
"Vida is superb in every way... musicianship, composition/arranging content, and sonic quality. Cassio not only brings his Brazilian heritage to this fine recording, but also his strong jazz swing expertise. - John La Barbera, composer & arranger.
"Throughout Vida, Cassio Vianna’s writing is melodic, generally utilizes rhythms that reflect his Brazilian heritage, and features ensembles that are colorful and accessible while being a bit unpredictable. [...] It is no surprise that the musicians in the orchestra sound consistently inspired by the writing on Vida. Cassio Vianna is a talented big band arranger and composer who deserves to be much better known." - Scott Yanow, jazz journalist & historian.
