Sandro Norton was born in Porto on December 9, 1978. From an early age he showed his musical skills and developed a special interest in the guitar. He began his studies with guitarist Aires Ramos, which complemented attending Music School Óscar da Silva, in Matosinhos.
In September 2000 moves to London where he attended the London College of Music, Thames Valley University. In 2003 ends Degree in “Popular Music Performance” and, in 2004, concludes with honors, a Masters in “Composition / Music Performance.”
During his academic career he studied, among others, Mike Outram, Shaun Baxter, Ian Scott (Beach Boys), Phillip Mead (George Crumb), Dave Cliff (Lee Konitz), Eddie Harvey (Ella Fitzgerald). He also studied privatly with Charlie Banacos, Eric Roche, Dr Barry Harris, Jonathan Kreisberg and Vicki Genfan.
As “session musician” acted in several places including the “The Cavern” in Liverpool, “Jazz Café” in Cambden Town, Ronnie´s Scott, “100Club” in Oxford Street and “Borderline” in Soho.
He was a member of the band Flipsiders, doing three tours in England. Participated with Jojo Watz at Ashton Court Festival in Bristol, where he performed for 50,000 people. He also did some concerts in Norway, Sweden, Spain and the Netherlands as a solo artistist or part of smal ensembles. He also worked at London’s National Orchestra (NYJO).
Had musical partnerships with Pip Williams , Mike Outram, Vasilis Xenopoulos, Ian Anderson, Gwin Mathias, Bias, Dyce, Jocelyn Brown and Haifa Kahiali.
In October 2007 he returned to Portugal.
Already on Portuguese soil leads several projects Jazz, having formed Sandro Norton Trio, Quartet Jazz Confusion, Sandro Norton Quartet, Octet Sandro Norton, Café de Paris and Flor de Lis, which comes with making art today! In these projects brought together a range of enviable musicians like Jeffrey Davis, Luis Trigo, Rare Hugo, André Sarbib, John Salcedo, Filipe Raposo, Carlos Barreto, Bruno Cardoso, Filipe Teixeira, Yuri Daniel, Carl Minnemann, Nuno Campos, Michelangelo, Louise Wheat Carlos Miguel Antonio Torres Pinto, John Cunha, Leandro Leonet, Hugo Danin, John Marrucho, Joaquim Alves, Andre Oliveira, among others.
Participates in 2008, the Douro Jazz Festival with his solo project, where he plays percussion guitar. One technique not yet widely known in Portugal that Sandro Norton developed in London. This technique is characterized by the use of percussive effects that creates Sandro playing with both hands on various parts of the guitar body. And with the particularity of the left hand to the chords above the fretboard, and not downwards, as is usual. The concerts ever held in Portugal have been a success, not only for the beautiful compositions Sandro Norton, as the amazement that concerned about who hears and sees, this new technique
In the fall of August, he participates with his Quartet at Jazz Festival Pacos Ferreira.
During the same year, Sandro Norton accomplished a personal project that has long coveted. Invited seven musicians and a voice to carry his big dream: to form an ensemble that would encompass all the sounds of his compositions. An original draft with Sandro in Norton on electric, acoustic and nylon Guitars, Luis Trigo on Violin and Harmonica, Flipe Teixeira on Bass, João Salcedo piano and Keyboards, Bruno Cardoso, Cello, António Torres Pinto, Drums, Joaquim Alves and André Oliveira on percussion and Jaume Pradas the Claudia Fier on vocals.
It is with this design that opens in May 2008, to Randy Brecker, the Festival de Jazz of Matosinhos.
In April 2009 Sandro Norton has the opportunity to make their immortal compositions … After several informal meetings with Jorge Fernando (Producer), Sandro inveted him to produce his first CD. Jorge Fernando, known musician, composer and producer of Fado, accepted . They sharewith the direction and production of the album, being in charge of mastering Mário Barreiros and Fernando Nunes as a sound engineer.
Jorge Fernando, known musician, composer and producer of Fado, accepted. Filipe Raposo participated in this album on piano and accordion, Luis Trigo on violin and harmonica, Bruno Cardoso on cello, Luisa Trigo on Flute, Filipe Teixeira, Carl Minnemann and Yuri Daniel on bass and electric bass. Carlos Miguel and Leandro Leonet on drums, Joaquim Alves and André Oliveira on percussion, Claudia Fier and Jaume Pradas on vocals and Sandro Norton with multiple guitars.
Since 1998 until today this young musician, composer and musical director has not stopped. He has participated in many concerts and Jazz Festivals both in Portugal and abroad (Spain, France, Italy, Netherlands, Norway, England, Sweden).
The 2014 will be marked by the release of his first album “Flying High … At The Heart Of It.
This work also includes a scenic performance / choreographer at the height of their original songs.