João Damas is a composer and electronic musician.
His music emerges from surrounding organic soundscapes and a strong rhythmic feel, mingled with simple melodies and a vibrant performance.
João began his career in 1997 as a bass guitar player in rock bands. Soon he grew interest in the possibilities of the bass as a solo instrument, so he began exploring fusion jazz as his new musical language. He produced and recorded a demo album for bass guitar, string quartet, piano and drums.
Used to listening to classical music since childhood, some years later, around 2005, João saw the piano as the next natural step. He began learning the instrument and at the same time he also studied classical composition.
João delved for his own personal language as a composer for many years.
There was a path of experimentation across atonal music and also laptop electronic music. He recorded 3 albums during this time.
João has several premiered works for solo, chamber and orchestral ensembles. He has also written for the screen along the years.
Due to a chronic tendinitis, he can no longer play traditional musical instruments up to a professional level.
He found hardware synthesisers as the perfect way of expressing himself through performance.
