Vento do Norte is a unique group of young saxophonist musicians, students of Henk van Twillert at ESMAE - School of Music, Arts and Entertainment, Porto, Portugal.
They are passionate and talented musicians who combine a modern vision of chamber music with unique performances. Listening to this musical group is an overwhelming experience, one moment we are touched in the soul by their music, the next we are raised to euphoria and movement. The group was formed in 2005 by Henk van Twillert, with students from his ESMAE saxophone class. Students who complete the course give way to the youngest, while maintaining the youthfulness and energy of the group. Since its inception they have performed in various venues and festivals in Portugal, among others in Aveiro, Porto, Palmela and Guimarães. In 2007, 2009, 2011, 2013, 2015, 2017 and 2019 they won the first prize in the prestigious “Concorso Internazionale di Musica da Câmara Città di Chieri” in Italy.
In 2009 they recorded their first CD, "Adage of Saxophones", defined as versatile, competent, passionate and sincere.
Since 2008 Henk van Twillert & Vento do Norte held yearly tours in Holland and Belgium. Following the Ode to Joy tour in 2014, they were invited to perform on the Dutch national television cultural program “Podium Witteman” and on the radio program “Opium op4”.
On March 2015, the Portuguese national television (RTP2) devoted much of its program “A Grande Valsa” to ESMAE's saxophone class, namely to Henk van Twillert & Vento do Norte. In 2016 they made a tour in the USA, performing, among other places, in New York and Boston.
In 2019, among other events, Vento do Norte represented ESMAE at the Harmos Festival and performed with Henk van Twillert on the Bach, Black & White tour, from March 30th to April 7th, 2019 in the Netherlands.
In 2019, among others, Vento do Norte represented ESMAE at the Harmos Festival, made the tour “Bach, Black & White” in the Netherlands, participated in FISP2019 and performed on several stages in Portugal.
In November 2019 they presented the new CD “Toot Your Roots” in which they uniquely present composers like J.S.Bach and A. Piazzolla.
The academic year of 2021/2022 presents the 14th generation of Vento do Norte, consisting of:
Henk van Twillert - Artistic Director, Soprano and Baritone Saxophone
Nuno Ramos - Soprano Saxophone
Sara Pais & Bernardo Salabert – Alto Saxophone
Rui Silva & Raquel Castro - Tenor Saxophone
Gonçalo Silva - Baritone Saxophone
Eugenio Silva - Bass Saxophone
in some projects:
Vitor Marçal - Alto Saxophone
Tomás Martinho - Baritone Saxophone
Gabriel Alves - Tenor Saxophone
They are passionate and talented musicians who combine a modern vision of chamber music with unique performances. Listening to this musical group is an overwhelming experience, one moment we are touched in the soul by their music, the next we are raised to euphoria and movement. The group was formed in 2005 by Henk van Twillert, with students from his ESMAE saxophone class. Students who complete the course give way to the youngest, while maintaining the youthfulness and energy of the group. Since its inception they have performed in various venues and festivals in Portugal, among others in Aveiro, Porto, Palmela and Guimarães. In 2007, 2009, 2011, 2013, 2015, 2017 and 2019 they won the first prize in the prestigious “Concorso Internazionale di Musica da Câmara Città di Chieri” in Italy.
In 2009 they recorded their first CD, "Adage of Saxophones", defined as versatile, competent, passionate and sincere.
Since 2008 Henk van Twillert & Vento do Norte held yearly tours in Holland and Belgium. Following the Ode to Joy tour in 2014, they were invited to perform on the Dutch national television cultural program “Podium Witteman” and on the radio program “Opium op4”.
On March 2015, the Portuguese national television (RTP2) devoted much of its program “A Grande Valsa” to ESMAE's saxophone class, namely to Henk van Twillert & Vento do Norte. In 2016 they made a tour in the USA, performing, among other places, in New York and Boston.
In 2019, among other events, Vento do Norte represented ESMAE at the Harmos Festival and performed with Henk van Twillert on the Bach, Black & White tour, from March 30th to April 7th, 2019 in the Netherlands.
In 2019, among others, Vento do Norte represented ESMAE at the Harmos Festival, made the tour “Bach, Black & White” in the Netherlands, participated in FISP2019 and performed on several stages in Portugal.
In November 2019 they presented the new CD “Toot Your Roots” in which they uniquely present composers like J.S.Bach and A. Piazzolla.
The academic year of 2021/2022 presents the 14th generation of Vento do Norte, consisting of:
Henk van Twillert - Artistic Director, Soprano and Baritone Saxophone
Nuno Ramos - Soprano Saxophone
Sara Pais & Bernardo Salabert – Alto Saxophone
Rui Silva & Raquel Castro - Tenor Saxophone
Gonçalo Silva - Baritone Saxophone
Eugenio Silva - Bass Saxophone
in some projects:
Vitor Marçal - Alto Saxophone
Tomás Martinho - Baritone Saxophone
Gabriel Alves - Tenor Saxophone