Cassio Vianna

"Vianna writes pleasant and handsome music, much of which mirrors his Brazilian heritage. That's not meant to imply that there is nothing more than beauty to savor and enjoy; brisk and demanding ensemble passages are blended throughout, buttressed by bight and impressive solos, all in the finest big-band tradition. [...] After all is portrayed and performed, it is clear that Vianna is a master of his craft, a worthy successor to such venerated gurus as Neal Hefti, Sammy Nestico, Shorty Rogers, Bill Holman, Hank Levy, Johnny Mandel, Pete Rugolo, Billy May, Marty Paich, Gerry Mulligan and many others." (Jack Bowers, All About Jazz).
 

Cassio Vianna is a pianist, producer, educator, and a Latin Grammy® nominated composer whose work reflects a broad range of musical and cultural influences. 

Born and raised in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, Cassio started his music studies at the age of 9, playing traditional hymns at a Presbyterian church and studying classical piano in his hometown of São Gonçalo, Rio de Janeiro. In his teens, he began developing his skills as a composer and interpreter of Brazilian jazz. Between 1993 and 1995, Cassio studied under Hungarian-Brazilian teacher Ian Guest, who had a great impact on his decision to pursue a career as a composer and arranger.

​From 1996 to 2009, Cassio engaged in recording and performing projects in the vibrant Rio de Janeiro music scene, including a short but successful career with the Brazilian jazz group Dialeto Brasileiro, which he co-led with bassist Wagner Trindade. In 2009, Cassio moved to the U.S. to further his music studies.

​Cassio Vianna holds a Bachelor of Music degree from Universidade Federal do Estado do Rio de Janeiro (Uni-Rio), a Master of Music degree from Western Oregon University, and a Doctor of Arts degree in Jazz Studies from the University of Northern Colorado, where he studied with David Caffey.

Cassio’s arrangements have been performed by artists such as Eric Marienthal, Wayne Bergeron, Chris Potter, Ernie Watts, Martha Reeves (Martha & the Vandellas), Tony Kadleck, Greg Gisbert, the United States Army Field Band (Jazz Ambassadors), the UNC/Greeley Jazz Festival All-Star Big Band, and the Colorado Jazz Repertory Orchestra, among others. Cassio's compositional styles include popular music, Brazilian jazz, classical chamber pieces, and works for jazz big band.

"I am in awe of [Cassio's] work as a composer, arranger and conductor. His arrangements and compositions shine brilliantly in every aspect – melody, harmony and groove." (Jovino Santos Neto, Brazilian composer and pianist).

Cassio's recent albums include Letters to Grace: a Song Cycle (2011), and two CDs of original jazz big band compositions: Infância (2017) and Vida  (2025), all of which are available for purchase and for streaming on all major platforms. Scores and parts are also available on this website. The CD Vida was nominated for a Latin Grammy award in the Best Arrangement category for the track "Flight 962."

“[The CD] Vida is superb in every way... musicianship, composition/arranging content, and sonic quality. Cassio not only brings his Brazilian heritage to this fine recording, but also his strong jazz swing expertise.” (John LaBarbera, jazz arranger/composer).

​Over the past 15 years, Cassio has been featured as clinician, adjudicator and performer at jazz festivals and conferences in Latin America and across the U.S. He has presented clinics and lectures at several Jazz Education Network (JEN) Annual Conferences, the Midwest Clinic, International Composers' Symposium, NAfME Northwest Conference, and the Washington Music Educators Association Conference. In 2015, he traveled to China to perform and to teach a two-week program at the Guangxi Arts Institute (Nanning Provence).

"Cassio Vianna is a talented big band arranger and composer who deserves to be much better known." (Scott Yanow, jazz journalist/historian).

Cassio Vianna is the Director of Jazz Studies, Associate Professor of Music at Pacific Lutheran University. Before his appointment at PLU, he was on the music faculties at Western Oregon University (Monmouth, OR) and Umpqua Community College (Roseburg, OR), and he also taught at the University of Northern Colorado. Between 2004 and 2008, while still living in Rio de Janeiro, Cassio taught at the Instituto Villa-Lobos and at several music academies.

Cassio now lives in Tacoma, WA, with his wife and their three sons.