In Manuel de Oliveira’s music, borders, territory, community and identity will always be key words. While every artist searches for an original way to express themselves, Oliveira’s music – from the first Ibéria to the most recent Entre-Lugar – is always an attempt to rebuild a territory and an identity, the constant search for something perpetually unfinished, like a community or a voice.

In this constant existential metamorphosis, as a guitarist, composer and producer, he has gifted us, over more than 20 years, with a body of work of singular identity, immediately recognisable in its constant mutation.

Manuel de Oliveira was born on 7 July 1978, in the city of Guimarães, Portugal. He learned to play the guitar with his father, Aprígio Oliveira. Along his self-taught journey, he has sought to travel and be in contact with other prominent guitar communities, such as Flamenco, South American music and the Fado.

This solidified a vast international career, as one of the most prolific contemporary guitarists. Works of note include the international edition of the album Amarte and his presence at some of the most important European festivals, such as Emociona Jazz!!! (Spain) and Couleurs Jazz (France), alongside names such as Brad Mehldau, Chick Corea, Mike Stern and Richard Galliano, among many other musicians.

He produced Os Nossos Afetos the show for the opening ceremony of Guimarães 2012 - European Capital of Culture, with Cristina Branco, Chico César and Rão Kyao. In 2016, Ibéria Live, with the renowned Jorge Pardo and Carles Benavent, founding musicians of Flamenco Jazz, sold out the CCB and Casa da Música. These past few years have been dedicated to a guitar solo creation and collaborations with the cellist Sandra Martins and the accordionist João Frade. Entre-Lugar, released on 13 November 2020, is the album resulting from this collaboration, which also features Fado singer Marco Rodrigues, drummer and percussionist Marito Marques, and other artists.

"Entre-Lugar" has been touring the country, having already performed in around 30 concerts, appearing at some of the most prestigious festivals such as Cistermúsica (Alcobaça), MIMO Festival (Porto), Festival de Música em Leiria, and Sons de Vez (Arcos de Valdevez). Additionally, a film-concert and a documentary about the project were produced, both of which were broadcasted on RTP2.

Released in October 2022, the new album "Ibéria 20|22," featuring Jorge Pardo and Carles Benavent, marks the 20-year career milestone of the composer and his first album "Ibéria," which initiated the partnership with the Spanish musicians.

"Ibéria 20|22," featuring Jorge Pardo and Carles Benavent, made its live premmier with a Symphony Orchestra at the Guimarães Jazz Festival in 2022 and also performed at the Convento de São Francisco. This format, conducted by maestro Carlos Garcia, is scheduled for national and international performances until the end of 2024.

In 2023, Manuel de Oliveira made the premiere of his new project "LOOPING SOLO" at the 20th edition of the MIMO Festival, which took place in São Paulo, Rio de Janeiro, and Itabira.

The "TOUR 20" celebrates 20 years of Manuel de Oliveira's career and has already visited 30 stages in various formats in the year 2023.