b. 1954, São Paulo, Brazil. Taught to play the guitar from the age of four by his mother, Neto was also aided by other family members who alerted him not only to his country’s traditional music but also to rock. A strikingly gifted guitarist, he studied at the São Paulo Academy of Music. He appeared and recorded with Harry Belafonte. He then became Belafonte’s musical director and toured internationally with him from 1978 until the late 90s. Others artists with whom Neto has played include George Benson, Randy Brecker, Jorge Dalto, Paquito D’Rivera, Joe Farrell, Humble People, Zakir Hussain, Herbie Mann, Tania Maria, Hugh Masekela, Randy Tico and Steve Winwood. Neto was also a founding member of Fourth World with Airto Moreira, Flora Purim and Gary Meek. Neto has also led his own bands, including Plato and later Netoband. Members of the latter group include Celso Alberti, Gary Brown, Café, and Frank Martin, with a series of releases appearing on the B&W Music label.