Hamilton Pinheiro is one of the leading names in the instrumental music scene of Brazil’s Federal District. A respected bassist, composer, arranger, and music producer, he is known for his expressive and heartfelt approach to the bass. His performances draw in audiences, and his compositions—rooted in Brazilian music and jazz—delight listeners with their creativity.

Originally from Natal, in the state of Rio Grande do Norte, Hamilton first connected with music through an old guitar at home. He learned his first tunes with the help of his older brother and music magazines. Although drums were his main interest at the time, everything changed when he first heard the sound of the bass. His initial reaction—“Who would play such a weird instrument?”—soon turned into curiosity, and eventually into passion. From that moment on, the bass became his instrument of choice.

Hamilton began his professional music career in 1990, playing in several local bands. During this time, he developed his skills by learning informally—watching other musicians and exchanging ideas with friends. In 1995, he took his first formal course in harmony and improvisation with Manoca Barreto, opening the door to the world of instrumental music.

In 1996, he moved to Brasília, where he enrolled at the Escola de Música de Brasília the following year. He earned the high school level degree in electric bass in 2001 and took additional courses in arranging, recording, and bass performance. Later, he earned a bachelor’s degree in music education from the University of Brasília and a master’s degree in Jazz Performance/Jazz Arranging and Composition from the University of Louisville (Kentucky, USA).

Hamilton released his first solo album, Altos e Baixos, in 2003. It marked the beginning of a journey as a composer of instrumental music—a path he continues to follow. In 2007, he partnered with 7-string guitarist Félix Júnior to release DUO 13. Two years later, he joined Márcio Marinho (cavaquinho), Rafael dos Anjos (guitar), and Rafael dos Santos (drums) to record Galinha Caipira Completa, a landmark in Brasília’s instrumental music scene.

In 2016, Hamilton returned to composing with Quatro, a deeper, more intricate album that reflects the evolution of his musical voice. In 2021, he released Samba and Beyond with songs that were used in a course on Brazilian music for international students that he and his friends offered.

His most recent album, O Dia do Sol (2025), dives even further into the fusion of Brazilian music and modern jazz. The project features collaborations with pianist Misael Silvestre and drummer Pedro Almeida.

As a sideman, Hamilton has moved fluidly between vocal and instrumental music, performing with a wide range of artists including Célia Rabelo, Leonel Laterza, Carlos Malta, Juninho di Sousa, Paulo André Tavares, Allen Pontes, Ivanildo Sax de Ouro, Dominguinhos, Lúcia de Maria, Lidi Satier, Vanessa Pinheiro, Paula Nunes, Renato Vasconcellos, Phil DeGreg, Diogo Monzo, Marcos Farias, Eduardo Neves, Hamilton de Holanda, grupo Dois de Ouro, Rosa Passos, Lula Galvão, Thiago Fernandes, Grupo 7 na Roda, Juninho Ferreira, Paulinho Beissá, Ebinho Cardoso, Armandinho Macedo, Anne Walsh, Paul Lieberman, Mike Del Ferro, Maurício Einhorn, Zé Renato, Alexei Tsiganov and Michael Tracy, and many others.

In the studio, he has recorded over 80 projects (albums and DVDs), producing more than 30 of them. His arrangements are known for their creativity and sensitivity, always bringing out the best in the musicians he works with. His key studio collaborations include Paulinho Beissá, Lidi Satier, Vanessa Pinheiro, Leonel Laterza, Thiago Lunar, Beto Dourah, Marcos Farias, Michael Tracy, Hamilton de Holanda, Gabriel Grossi, Carlos Malta, Thiago Fernandes, Diogo Monzo, Anna Carolina Rocha and Carlos Pial, among others.

Hamilton is also an experienced music educator, sharing his unique perspective on the bass through teaching. He has taught at the Brasília School of Music, BSB Musical Academy, University of Brasília, University of Louisville, and in many workshops across Brazil. His approach is rooted in his years of experience as a professional bassist and his passion for instrumental music.