BIO

SOMEONE WHO HAS ALWAYS HAD A PASSION FOR MUSIC

From a very young age, it was clear that music would be an integral part of Everton Firmeza’s life and career.

Growing up in the 1990's within a music-loving family in São Paulo, Brazil, he began his formal music education at just 5 years old, singing and playing the flute at his elementary school and performing for family and friends.

During this period, Everton developed perfect pitch, a deep curiosity, and a profound passion for musical performance.

At age 15, Everton was already playing bass guitar at music venues, school parties, and events with the group “Banda do Zé”, a classic rock quintet that covered bands like Pink Floyd, Led Zeppelin, Deep Purple, and Yes.

The group gained some recognition among São Paulo’s middle-school crowd and even developed a small fan base. At this stage, Everton experienced the thrill of connecting with an audience through music and the personal joy of pushing himself to new artistic heights.

By the time he finished high school, he knew music wasn’t just a hobby — it was an intrinsic part of who he was.

Following his passion, he applied for a bachelor’s degree in Classical Composition at Universidade Federal de Minas Gerais (UFMG), one of Brazil's most respected music schools.

Everton at age 6 - São Paulo, 1993

UFMG Music School in Belo Horizonte

Banda do Zé after a rehearsal in São Paulo, 2004

FROM ROCK TO JAZZ, FROM BRAZILIAN TO EXPERIMENTAL

His time at UFMG proved to be a rich and diverse experience.

In the culturally vibrant city of Belo Horizonte — a creative hub that has produced iconic musicians like Milton Nascimento, Toninho Horta, and Sepultura — Everton played in various ensembles, mastered the art of improvisation and complex arrangements, and developed a deep appreciation for conceptual and abstract 20th-century music.

Notable projects during this period included the jazz trio “Sagarana” - which laid the foundation for Everton’s later trio works - and the composers and performers collective “D E R I V A SONS,” which made waves in the Brazilian experimental music scene and toured Argentina and Cuba.

In 2009, he also won the "Jovem Instrumentista" (Young Instrumentalist) competition held by BDMG Cultural, a leading cultural institution in Brazil.

Firmeza playing with D E R I V A SONS Mariana - July 2012

Firmeza and Enéias Xavier - Belo Horizonte, 2009

His education exposed him to electroacoustic techniques, electronic experimentation, and cross-media collaborations in theater, clowning, biology, and fine arts.

Firmeza’s versatility became his hallmark, leading him to create and perform music for diverse groups and settings.

Everton & Silvana Stein performing "O amor está na moda" - Belo Horizonte, 2010

PISSING IN BRUSSELS' STREETS

In 2015, Everton took a bold step and relocated to the vibrant, cosmopolitan city of Brussels.

After spending a few months focusing on learning Dutch and French, Everton began to develop various musical projects with talented musicians from around the world.

Parallel with his studies, Everton embarked on a career as a music teacher, instructing students in bass, Brazilian music, Jazz, music theory, ear training and composition.

He has taught children and adults alike at several schools and organizations, including the Hoofdstedelijke Muziekacademie Brussel, Muziekacademie Schaarbeek, Jeugd en Muziek Brussel, and Muziekpublique.

Everton & Renata Kambarova during residency with FUJINN - Brussels, 2018

Everton teacher's profile photo for Muziekpublique - Brussels, 2023

His ability to merge diverse cultural influences into cohesive, innovative works has helped cement his reputation as a versatile, forward-thinking artist and a prominent figure in Brazilian music in Belgium.

Everton during a solo concert at BOZAR - October 2022

Recognizing a need to deepen his musical studies, he pursued not one, but two bachelor’s degrees — one in jazz double bass and the other in bass guitar — at the Conservatoire Royale de Bruxelles (CrB), located near the famous Manneken Pis (Pissing Boy) statue.

He then completed a master’s degree in jazz double bass at the same institution and is currently pursuing a master’s degree in bass guitar at the Koninklijk Conservatorium Brussel (KCB).

Everton performing at Dinant Jazz Festival - July 2022

WHAT THE FUTURE HOLDS

Now at 37, Everton Firmeza stands at an exciting crossroads in his career. With over 30 years of musical experience, he shows no signs of slowing down.

Instead, Everton continues to create and develop new musical projects, always seeking fresh sounds and collaborative opportunities.

As someone who has embraced change and discovery throughout his journey, Firmeza’s artistic path continues to evolve with each new performance, each collaboration, and each experience.

While the future remains unwritten, one thing is certain — Firmeza will continue to shape it through his music, always exploring, always innovating, and always staying true to the passion that started it all.

Everton and Shelby's new project AMOR! - a partnership with JM Brussel starting in January 2025

EDUCATION

DEGREES

Master's degree in bass guitar

KCB (*2026)

Master's degree in jazz double bass

CrB (2024)

Bachelor's degree in bass guitar

CrB (2022)

Bachelor's degree in jazz double bass

CrB (2021)

Bachelor's degree in classical composition

UFMG (2011)

OTHERS

Introduction to self-induced trance (TCAI)

CrB / TranceLab (2024)

Studio techniques

UFMG (2008)

The universal music of Itiberê Zwarg

UFMG (2008)

Theater initiation

Galpão Cine Horto (2008)

FORMER TEACHERS

Sam Gerstmans

double bass - CrB

Michel Hatzigeoriou

bass guitar - CrB

Christophe Wallemme

bass guitar - KCB

Benoît Vanderstraeten

bass guitar - CrB

Arnould Massart

harmony - CrB

Pirly Zurstrassen

ear training - CrB

Michel Paré

jazz ensemble - CrB

Manu Hermia

jazz ensemble - CrB

Fabrice Alleman

jazz ensemble - CrB

Gariel Ballis

bass guitar - EMESP

Hector Espinosa

double bass - FEA

Eneias Xavier

bass guitar

Adriano Campagnani

bass guitar

João Pedro Oliveira

composition - UFMG

Oiliam Lana

composition - UFMG

Rogerio Vasconcellos

composition - UFMG

Carlos Palombini

electronic music - UFMG

Itiberê Zwarg

Brazilian music ensemble - UFMG

Itamar Collaço

bass guitar

Silvana Stein

physical theater - Galpao Cine Horto

Fabio Janhan

studio techniques - UFMG