Guinga began his musical studies as a self-taught violonista at 13. Later, he would deepen his apprenticeship of classical violão. At 16, he began to write his own compositions and in 1967, he presented one of them at II FIC (Rede Globo, Rio). In 1973, MPB-4 recorded two of his songs written with the illustrious Paulo César Pinheiro: Conversa Com o Coração and Maldição de Ravel. Always flirting with the musical scenery, but was unable to make a living in it (as many sincere artists in Brazil). He became a dentist, but nevertheless registered his love for the true Brazilian tradition in appearances as sideman in several samba albums since then, like the second solo album by Cartola recorded in 1976, in which he plays the violão on As Rosas Não Falam. As an instrumentalist, he has accompanied such artists as Beth Carvalho, Cartola, Alaíde Costa, Clara Nunes, and João Nogueira. His first solo show is from 1989, where he performed in the Vou Vivendo nightclub (São Paulo) with Paulo César Pinheiro and Ithamara Koorax. His first solo album, Simples e Absurdo (Velas 1991), featured lyrics by Aldir Blanc and special guests Chico Buarque, Cláudio Nucci, Leila Pinheiro, Paulinho Malaguti, Ivan Lins, Zé Renato, Leny Andrade, Be Happy, and others. His second album is Delírio Carioca (Velas 1993), with special guests Djavan, Boca Livre, and Leila Pinheiro. The third album, Cheio de Dedos (1996), is almost entirely instrumental, with special guests Chano Dominguez, Diapasón, Chico Buarque, Nó em Pingo D'água, and Ed Motta. This one was awarded with the Prêmio Sharp in 1996 in three separate categories: Best Instrumental Album, Best Instrumental Song (Dá o Pé Loro, by Guinga), and Best Production (Paulo Albuquerque).

In 2000, they released a fourth album, Suíte Leopoldina (Velas), with special guests Toots Thielemans (Dos Anjos and Constance), Chico Buarque/Nei Lopes (Parsifal), Alceu Valença (Chá de Panela), Ivan Lins (Guia de Cego), Lenine (Mingus Samba), and Ed Motta (Par Constante). Since 1993, he has become an international artist, performing at the Festival Internacional de Guitarra (Cordoba, Spain), and the Festival Braziliana -- Jazz House (Copenhagen, Denmark). His compositions have been recorded by such artists as Paulo César Pinheiro, Elis Regina, Cauby Peixoto, Leila Pinheiro, Sérgio Mendes, Turíbio Santos, and others. ~ Alvaro Neder, Rovi