ORCHESTRAS & BIG BANDS
Original compositions, arrangements, conducting, music direction, and collaborative projects developed for symphony orchestras, jazz orchestras, big bands, chamber orchestras, and hybrid ensemble formats.
For more than two decades, my work has involved collaborations with orchestras, jazz orchestras, big bands, chamber ensembles, and large-scale artistic projects developed across Brazil, the United States, Canada, Costa Rica, and Europe.
These projects include original compositions, commissioned works, orchestral arrangements, conducting, music direction, recording productions, educational initiatives, and interdisciplinary collaborations developed in partnership with orchestras, universities, festivals, recording studios, and cultural institutions.
This page presents a selection of ensembles, collaborations, recordings, and projects connected to that work.
ORIGINAL ARTISTIC PROJECTS
Several long-term artistic projects have served as platforms for composition, recording, ensemble development, and collaborative artistic research.
ORQUESTRA URBANA
Founded in São Paulo in 2014, Orquestra Urbana is a contemporary Brazilian large ensemble dedicated to original compositions, recordings, commissioned works, and collaborative artistic projects.
Over more than a decade of activity, the orchestra has become one of the central platforms for my work as a composer, arranger, conductor, and music director.
RAFAEL PICCOLOTTO DE LIMA CHAMBER PROJECT
Developed in New York, the Chamber Project functions as a flexible chamber ensemble platform exploring the relationship between chamber music, orchestral writing, Brazilian music, and improvisation.
The project later became the artistic foundation from which Forró Sem Palavras emerged.
SELECTED ORCHESTRAS & INSTITUTIONS
BRASIL JAZZ SINFÔNICA
Ongoing collaborations as arranger, composer, conductor, and collaborator involving productions with some of Brazil’s leading artists.
Selected collaborations include projects with Ivan Lins, João Bosco, Liniker, Vanessa da Mata, Tim Bernardes, Dora Morelenbaum, Mônica Salmaso, Toninho Ferragutti, Alceu Valença, Martinho da Vila, Alcione, Chico César, Mariana Aydar, Mestrinho, Arnaldo Antunes, Céu, Paula Morelenbaum, Renato Borghetti, and many others.
HENRY MANCINI INSTITUTE ORCHESTRA
During graduate studies at the University of Miami, I served as Composer Fellow and Assistant Conductor at the Henry Mancini Institute, participating in concerts, recordings, and productions involving artists such as Chick Corea, Terence Blanchard, Maria Schneider, Vince Mendoza, and Eric Owens.
Projects included Jazz and the Philharmonic, later released through PBS broadcasts and recordings.
SYMPHONY OF THE AMERICAS
Collaborations as composer, arranger, and guest conductor, including the commission and premiere of Raiar: Lullaby of the Moon as part of the Orchestra Meets Jazz series celebrating the orchestra’s 30th anniversary.
METROPOLE ORKEST
Participation in the Metropole Orkest Arrangers Workshop in the Netherlands under the direction of Vince Mendoza, contributing to the development of contemporary orchestral and jazz orchestra writing.
NATIONAL SYMPHONY ORCHESTRA OF COSTA RICA
Collaborations involving original compositions and arrangements, including Abertura Jobiniana as part of the symphonic production Bossa Nova Sinfônico.
CAMPINAS MUNICIPAL SYMPHONY ORCHESTRA
Collaborations as composer, arranger, conductor, and music director spanning multiple projects, from early orchestral premieres to recent productions involving Brazilian artists and symphonic collaborations.
NEW YORK LARGE ENSEMBLE INITIATIVES
NY JAZZ COMPOSERS’ MOSAIC
Founded in New York by composers:
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Jihye Lee (South Korea)
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Rafael Piccolotto de Lima (Brazil)
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Migiwa Miyajima (Japan)
NY Jazz Composers’ Mosaic was created as a collaborative large ensemble initiative connecting different cultural perspectives through jazz orchestra performance and contemporary composition.
The project explored how jazz orchestra language could function as a platform for dialogue between distinct musical traditions, compositional approaches, and artistic identities.
The ensemble’s activities included concerts, premieres, collaborative productions, and contemporary large ensemble projects developed in New York.
“This is an extraordinary example of what art can do and how artists are shaping our society.”
— Doris Rothauer, Author of “Vision & Strategy: Strategic Thinking for Creative and Social Entrepreneurs”
MÓ COLLECTIVE
Brazilian music big band project developed in New York in collaboration with saxophonist Lívio Almeida.
The ensemble explored contemporary Brazilian large ensemble writing through original compositions, arrangements, and orchestral reinterpretations of Brazilian repertoire.
BMI JAZZ COMPOSERS WORKSHOP
Participation in one of the most influential contemporary jazz composition programs in the United States, including readings, showcase performances, and the development of original works for jazz orchestra.
RECORDINGS & MEDIA
Selected recording projects include:
Pelos Ares
Rafael Piccolotto de Lima & Orquestra Urbana
Live at Dizzy’s Club
Romero Lubambo & Rafael Piccolotto Chamber Orchestra
Bossa Nova Sinfônico
National Symphony Orchestra of Costa Rica
Upcoming Orquestra Urbana Album
Currently in production
RECORDINGS & MEDIA
Available for selected collaborations involving:
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Original compositions
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Arrangements
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Orchestration
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Conducting
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Music direction
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Jazz orchestra projects
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Symphony orchestra projects
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Chamber orchestra collaborations
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Recording productions
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Festival performances
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Educational residencies