Born in São Paulo in 1950, Paulo Bellinati is one of Brazil's most accomplished contemporary guitarists. He studied classical guitar with Isaias Sávio and graduated from the Conservatory Dramático e Musical of São Paulo. From 1975 to 1980, Bellinati lived in Switzerland, continuing his musical studies at the Conservatory of Geneva and teaching at the Conservatory of Lausanne. He also performed with his own group in many European jazz festivals including the Montreux Jazz Festival