Carlos Zíngaro

Carlos Zíngaro (born in Lisbon in 1948) is a Portuguese violinist, composer, improviser and visual artist. Trained in classical music, he began exploring experimental approaches during the 1960s and co-founded Plexus in 1967, an ensemble working between contemporary music, rock and improvisation. His creative work has been central to the development of free improvisation and electroacoustic practice in Portugal.

Zíngaro has performed and recorded internationally with musicians including Derek Bailey, Barre Phillips, Joëlle Léandre, Evan Parker, Richard Teitelbaum, Fred Frith and Mark Dresser. Alongside the violin, his practice includes electronic resources, composition for dance and theatre, painting and graphic work. His performances frequently test the meeting point of acoustic gesture, responsive listening and collective form.

On Creative Sources, Carlos Zíngaro is credited on Theia (CS520), Pentahedron (CS642), Spleen (CS848) and 'Pataphysique (CS883). These recordings include his violin with the Rodrigueses and other improvising collaborators.