Miguel Pimentel

Born in 1940 on the portuguese island of S. Miguel in Açores (Azores), Miguel de Braga Pimentel is one of the greatest interpreters of Viola da Terra, a traditional azorean guitar. Despite being a police officer since 1964, he developed a special gift as a musician. He learn how to play at a early age with his father Manuel Moniz Pimentel. During the years he was also a Viola da Terra teacher at the Conservatório de Ponta Delgada. Having recorded several solo albums, he also collaborated with Maria Antónia Esteves, one of the most beautiful voices of Açores and also a great researcher of traditional azorian folk music. Miguel Pimentel besides playing, teaching and studying the musical roots of Viola da Terra and the traditional azorian music, he also founded the Grupo Micaelense de Violas da Terra where he played for several years.