João Lencastre

João Lencastre is a drummer/composer native from Lisbon, Portugal. He started playing the drums at the age of 13, and over the years have been involved in innumerous projects, having the chance to play all kinds of music, from mainstream to avant-garde Jazz, Rock, Free Improvisation, Alternative Rock, Afro Beat, Reggae, Metal, World Music, Punk, Electronic/Dance, and some unclassified genres.
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Over more than 20 years playing professionally, Lencastre has played in all major festivals and venues in Portugal and has toured in different places around the world including USA, Czech Republic, England, Brazil, Germany, Poland, Spain, Macau, Russia, Amsterdam and Panama, giving him the opportunity to play and/or record with top musician such as David Binney, Bill Carrothers, André Fernandes, Michael Formanek, John O'Gallagher, Thomas Morgan, Jacob Sacks, Phil Grenadier, Leo Genovese, Rodrigo Amado, Eivind Opsviki, Drew, Gress, Benny Lackner, Nelson Cascais, Vojtech Prochaska, David Doruzka, Blasted MechanismNoah Preminger,Sara Serpa, José Lencastre NAU Quartet, Tiago Bettencourt among many others...
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Lencastre has released ten records as a leader, all well acclaimed by the public in general and the media from all over the world, having had great reviews on some of the most prestigious magazines, newspapers and websites including Modern Drummer, Downbeat, Jazz Times, Ipslon, Jazz.PT, Jazzwise, All About Jazz, Expresso, NYC Jazz Record, Salt Peanuts, just to name a few.
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In 2019 was elected "jazz musician of the year" by António Branco for Jazz.pt.
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In 2022 won the Prémios Play award for "best jazz album" category with "Unlimited Dreams", and was distinguished with the RTP/Festa do Jazz award for "musician of the year".
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"Safe in Your Own World" was voted for the monthly "The Best Jazz on Bandcamp" list by Dave Summer in October 2022.