Born into Samba in Rio de Janeiro, Claudinho Smile has been playing cavaquinho since age 9. He later developed his skills with acclaimed cavaquinista Alceu Maia and began touring professionally with his cavaco in 1981. Claudinho has performed nationally in Brazil and internationally with Salgueiro samba school as their principal cavaquinista between 1993 (when they won Rio’s carnaval with “Explode Coracao” and 1995. He has performed with Brazilian greats such as Elza Soares and Elba Ramalho and toured as a percussionist with Brazil Brasil show nationally in the US and throughout Europe and Asia as well from 1999-2004. Claudinho is an accomplished cavaquinista, guitar player, percussionist and singer who specializes in samba and MPB.