Alex Rossi is a Brazilian harmonica virtuoso renowned for his contributions to both the blues and jazz genres. Born in 1974 in Blumenau, southern Brazil, Rossi’s early fascination with the harmonica began during his childhood, inspired by the local harmonica factory he passed on his way to school. He acquired his first harmonica at the age of 13 and developed his technique through self-study, drawing from his experiences with saxophone and percussion.
By 18, Rossi was performing in Buenos Aires, and at 21, he ventured to Dallas, Texas, where he immersed himself in the American blues scene. There, he collaborated with notable artists such as Smokin’ Joe Kubek, Hash Brown, Sam Myers, and Magic Slim. His career further expanded as he shared stages with legends like Buddy Guy, Koko Taylor, and Carey Bell at events like the Tulsa Blues Festival .
“From 2006 to 2008, Alex lived in Buenos Aires, Argentina, where he had the chance to play and collaborate with many artists in the country.”
“In 2008, he began a new chapter in Europe, based in Antwerp, Belgium, for five years. During this time, he collaborated with a wide array of international artists across the country.”
“In 2012, Alex Rossi produced and released We Do It Out of Love, an acclaimed tribute to Toots Thielemans, created in collaboration with six of the world’s top harmonica players.”
In 2013, Rossi relocated to Amsterdam, where he continues to reside. His move marked a shift towards jazz, leading to projects like the album “Alex Rossi Quartet Plays Tom Jobim,”featuring guests Mauricio Einhorn and Ludovic Beier. He also contributed to the soundtrack of the film “Nono The Zig Zag Kid,” starring Isabella Rossellini
Rossi’s discography includes:
Beyond performing, Rossi is dedicated to education. He founded the Amsterdam Harmonica School, offering lessons in English, Portuguese, and Spanish, catering to students interested in both diatonic and chromatic harmonica across various styles
As a Suzuki-endorsed artist, Rossi utilizes instruments like the G-48, G-48W, Sirius-64, and Manji harmonicas . His international career spans performances in over 15 countries, and he remains active in the music community through his website and social media platforms .