Born in the city of Rio De Janeiro in 05/12/1980, son of the composer Everardo Castro, initiated in the mouth harmonica at the age of 15, however he already had contact with music since the 9 years old playing percussion. He began his studies of harmonica with Rodrigo Eberienos and was later Maurício Einhorn’s pupil, his master and friend.

“… someone I appreciate very much and that passed through here as a harmonica apprentice, and actually taught me a lot, believe it or not! In fact, we always learn… With him, I learned on enthusiasm, discipline, respect, e things like that, without which I would not feel myself gratified by having him as pupil and friend who I consider. Therefore it was just this way: Otavio is the renewal through the time, kindda brilliant! I would say and do say.“ Maurício Einhorn, harmonicists.

Considered by many as one of the exponents in Brazil in the technique baptized and called by himself as “the chromatism in the diatonic harmonica”, Otavio Castro reached a technical level that currently allows him to play diverse repertoires using a diatonic harmonica sharpened in C (do) for all the tonalities, what offers him series of workshops all around Brazil, annually. This way, the path that the musician is following in recent years is the research and creation of new horizons for the diatonic harmonica, printing a brazilian accent to an instrument that is still seen by some as an instrument restricted to blues.

“I really enjoyed your music. I think it is very adventurous, and that you are playing very interesting music with its own identity in your own style. This is great to hear. There are only a few diatonic players who are doing this. It takes a knowledge of music, which you have. Congratulations.” Howard Levy, harmonicist.

Otavio Castro initially taught in the Integrated Center of Music (RIO DE JANEIRO) for 4 years, then received an invitation to teaching at the Musiarte (RIO DE JANEIRO), where he stayed for 2 more years. In 2000, he passed two months playing intensely in New York, working with musicians such as Mark Whitfield, Deanne Witowisk and Hector Martingnon. He had chance to participate of shows and recordings with some representative figures of brazilian music, such as João Donato, Carlos Lyra, Carlos Malta, Márcio Hallack, Cesar Nascimento and Chiquito Braga. Moreover, he had the experience to record in the novel “Cobras e Lagartos”, of TV Globo, making the sound of the harmonica to one of the characters.

“ Talent, musicality, courage and humbleness; I don’t know one great artist who does not possess these four elements running for the veins. When sharing the sound with Otavio Castro in a jam session, I was impressed that even so he´s a young man, he demonstrated these 4 elements, and also transposes the limits of his small instrument. Otavio carries through his accurate blow a creative, vertiginous and radical music, whatever the style is, what makes him an universal musician… wherever he plays, he will be able to communicate through sound and to take the auditorium on board on his flights to places never visited before.” Carlos Malta, saxofonista and flautista.

In the specific land of the mouth harmonica, he stood out as special attraction at the III International Meeting of Harmonicas, that happened in São Paulo in 2003, and at the IV Gaita In Concert, that took place in Campinas, in 2004.

Otavio Castro is the representative for the HERING HARMÔNICAS - and dedicates himself to authorial work, creating instrumental compositions for diatonic harmonica and using in parallel the bass-harmonica in arrangements.

Thanks to: Cacá Guifer, Eric Chagas, Rodrigo Eisinger, Rafael Domingos,
Fernando Bresslau and Ana Luiza Luz