Rafael Sax on SoundBetter

Award winning saxophonist! Rafael has strong roots in Afro-Brazilian music. He combines his influences with jazz concepts. Plays alto, tenor and bari saxophones, flute, birds whistles and didgeridoo. SAMBA, CHORO, JAZZ, HOUSE, FUNK... Master in Jazz Performance. Bachelor degree in classical sax. 30 years of experience

Rafael Pereira Lima is an artist with strong roots in Afro-Brazilian music. He combines his influences with jazz concepts. The main instruments are saxophone (alto and baritone) and flute. He works as a performer, composer, arranger, producer, educator and entertainer. He is also a self-proclaimed nerd.

I can record parts composed by you (either by ear or sheet music) or improvise my own riffs or solo, fitting to the track's genre and vibe.

Rafael started playing at the church at the age of 10 years old. With 16 moved to Mississippi/US, there he joined the Meridian Community Jazz Big Band and the Far Away Places Jazz Combo. Rafael has a bachelor degree in classical saxophone (UFRGS/BR) and masters in Jazz performance (Hanze – NY/US and Groningen/NL) which makes him a very flexible musician. While in Brazil he also taught saxophone for 2 years in the federal University of Brazil.

Rafael Pereira Lima also have been doing live performances with DJ for more then 16 years. In 2005 he was the first instrumentalist to be part of a Dj Agency in Brazil, the biggest one at the time in Latin America, the extinguished 3plus.

He has toured all around the world in many clubs and festivals New York, Nashville, Amsterdam, Rio de Janeiro, São Paulo, Brasilia, Rotterdam, Buda Pest, New Delhi and so on.

Tell me about your music and how I can help you!!!

I'd love to hear about your project. Click the 'Contact' button above to get in touch.

Credits

8 Reviews

Endorse Rafael Sax

by Luis Mascaro
I've had the chance of working with Rafael a few times, both live and in studio, and I have to say he's a gem of person and artist. Fantastic tone and control over his sound, very groovy, great intonation, and very professional. I highly recommend him!
by Pimpo Contursi
Trabalho com o Rafael há muitos anos. Grande músico, estudioso e excelente profissional. Sempre que o contrato, presta um serviço perfeito.
by Johannes Fend
Rafael has great control over his sound, is very skilled on the instrument and is a true professional. Always a pleasure working with him. You'll get a great recording with no hassle!
by Marijn van der Linden
I worked a lot with Rafael on recordings and live situations. Always accurate, great timing and fantastic sound. Very versatile and he can really hit it when needed. Rafael recorded and played mainly Brazilian music, jazz funk and pop with me and I’m always very satisfied with the result
by Nelson Latif
I've been working with Rafael for years, in live concerts, recordings and tours, in a wide scoope of ventures. He is a sharp player, creative arranger and a great artistic personality to have besides you in any sort of music project.
by Erwin Bakkum
Rafael is één van de beste saxofonisten in Nederland. Zijn unieke sound maakt hem erg geliefd op optredens en bovendien is hij een goede leermeester! Een aanrader 👌
by Alex Rossi
It was great to work with Rafael! Great musician and he has a great saxofon sound! Very friendly and responsive as well. I recommend working with him!
by Lima
As always Rafael delivered a perfect track and he even sent us few extra options, for what I have requested. His talent is amazing and always nails it from the first take, super professional and very quick, and I can't recommend him enough.

Will be working with him again for sure.

Interview with Rafael Sax

Q: Tell us about a project you worked on you are especially proud of and why. What was your role?
A: Well so many nice projects like my New York Samba Choro Trio "It is what it is", but the album I am about to release is already the thing I am most proud of it.
Q: What are you working on at the moment?
A: I just finished my new album and working on the release of it. I have got a grant for a new album coming next as well.
Q: Is there anyone on SoundBetter you know and would recommend to your clients?
A: Alex Rossi
Q: Analog or digital and why?
A: Digital because of the practicality. Would love to go analog, but then I need a sponsor.
Q: What's your 'promise' to your clients?
A: Professionalism!
Q: What do you like most about your job?
A: Creativity is the food of my soul.
Q: What questions do customers most commonly ask you? What's your answer?
A: How long does it take to record it? Sometimes in the same day, but never more than a week.
Q: What's the biggest misconception about what you do?
A: That I am not spider man!
Q: What questions do you ask prospective clients?
A: What is your references.
Q: What advice do you have for a customer looking to hire a provider like you?
A: Lets talk I am very service minded.
Q: If you were on a desert island and could take just 5 pieces of gear, what would they be?
A: Saxophone, acoustic guitar, keyboard, mac pro and microphone.
Q: What was your career path? How long have you been doing this?
A: I am already more than 30 years doing this. I started in church with 10 years old in the harmonica. Moved with 16 to US and started to play in big bands and jazz bands in the night. With 24 I graduated in Classical Saxophone. With 36 I got my masters in Jazz performance. I am a music nerd who studies every day :)
Q: How would you describe your style?
A: A chameleon with a Brazilian accent.
Q: Which artist would you like to work with and why?
A: I would love to work Quincy Jones, because he is my favourite producer.
Q: Can you share one music production tip?
A: Let the music speak, but also breath.
Q: What type of music do you usually work on?
A: Samba, Choro, Jazz, House, Funk and experimental.
Q: What's your strongest skill?
A: My strongest skill is my sense of groovy melodies.
Q: What do you bring to a song?
A: I bring all kinds of moods from the more relaxed bossa-nova style to the energetic funk.
Q: What's your typical work process?
A: It depends on the work. Generally I listen to the song and try to hear what is the song "asking" for. Then I record some ideas until I have the "masterpiece"/
Q: Tell us about your studio setup.
A: I have a nice studio in Rotterdam in the historical HBS building. I have the possibility of recording dry and with my nice wooden room reverb.
Q: What other musicians or music production professionals inspire you?
A: I am inspired by Tom Jobim, Stan Getz, Maceo Parker, Pixinguinha and lots of Brazilian music.
Q: Describe the most common type of work you do for your clients.
A: I mostly record saxophone/flute solos and arrangements. I also write many arrangements.