Born on Pico Island in the Azores, musician André Goulart is getting ready to introduce the world to his debut EP of original songs, Genesis—a project rooted in a journey that began in childhood, somewhere between the first touch of a guitar and the poems of his grandmother, which he would later turn into music. Now studying at the School of Music and Performing Arts in Porto, Goulart has been shaping a musical language that blends jazz, blues, and the singer-songwriter tradition. Following the release of his debut single “Em Vão,” he returns this April to his home island for what promises to be an intimate live debut.

Correio dos Açores: For those just discovering you—who is André Goulart, and how did your musical path lead you here?

André Goulart: First and foremost, like all of us, I see myself as a product of creation—shaped by something greater, and by the people whose light has helped sculpt who I am. In my case, my soul was formed on Pico Island, carved out of black basalt, always carrying the joy of the Mountain in my heart.

Music entered my life early. At five, I was already singing in the choir of Santa Maria Madalena, before I even knew how to read or write. Two years later came what would become my first great love: the guitar. I began my musical training at the Centro de Formação Artística, where I built the foundation that still sustains me today.

By the age of eleven, I was already writing. Inspired by my grandmother’s poetry, I started turning her words into songs—pieces like “Marcas do Tempo,” “Barca da Vida,” and “Mar Salgado.” Through her, I discovered the power of language—and how music could become my most intimate way of sharing those stories with the world.

My early training moved through classical music, Azorean traditional music, and popular song, eventually leading me to jazz, which is where I feel most at home today. I’m currently studying jazz guitar at ESMAE in Porto. Vocally, I followed a similar path—from a more lyrical style into jazz, pop, and soul.

Along the way, I’ve also explored other instruments—mandolin, viola da terra, double bass—through important community spaces like the Rancho Folclórico of Criação Velha and the Lira Madalense Philharmonic.

In recent years, I’ve performed across several Azorean islands, both solo and alongside other artists. Highlights include appearances at the MiratecArts Cordas Festival and on RTP Açores programs like Açores Hoje and Regresso ao Palco. A particularly meaningful moment was joining the group Mar&Ilha, dedicated to the viola da terra and world music traditions. More recently, we performed at Lisbon’s Teatro da Trindade.

Now based in Porto, I’m also part of a youth orchestra in Paredes, performing in venues like the Centro Cultural de Paredes. All of this led to March 6, when I released my first single, “Em Vão,” marking the beginning of a new chapter.

Correio dos Açores: When did these songs stop being ideas and become a real project?

André Goulart: The turning point came after I shared the song “Por Ti” on social media in early 2023. The response made me realize I could build something bigger. But honestly, the dream goes back to when I was eleven, writing music from my grandmother’s poems. I always wanted to create an album of my own—something that could carry stories as meaningful as hers.

I want people to come home after a difficult day and find peace in my music. That became my purpose. So I walked the coastline of my island, searching for words, for meaning—for a way to understand love through sound.

Correio dos Açores: Is Pico Island present in the sound of these songs—or more in the spirit behind them?

André Goulart: The traditional sounds of the islands—folklore, the viola da terra, the mandolin—are definitely something I want to explore more in the future. In this EP, those elements aren’t as explicit, but the emotional core is deeply tied to Pico. My heart is still anchored in the Mountain; my soul is still shaped by basalt.

Even when the island isn’t named, it’s there—in the energy, in the memories. Take “Barca da Vida,” for example, based on my grandmother’s lyrics. It uses the image of a small boat at sea—men isolated from land, facing solitude with strength and faith. That becomes a universal metaphor for the inner struggles we all face.

And “Em Vão” was literally born on the rocks of Pico’s coastline. The scent of the sea, the movement of the ocean—that’s all embedded in the song. The island isn’t just a place; it’s part of the music’s DNA.

Correio dos Açores: What drives you to write? Where does the inspiration come from?

André Goulart: I’m often drawn to the kinds of experiences the world tends to overlook. There are thousands of love songs out there—but many stay on the surface. I want to go deeper.

For me, love is a journey: from childhood innocence to cinematic fantasy, from resilience in hardship to the pain of loving someone for appearances instead of truth. I want to explore all of it.

I’m also interested in the lives we don’t always see—the quiet struggles, the pressures to succeed, the stories people keep to themselves. I try to step into different lives, different moments, and give voice to those realities.

Of course, Pico plays a role too. Its beauty creates a sense of stillness, of spiritual fullness—in the sea, the wind, the trees. And then there’s saudade. That feeling is everything. It reminds us to be grateful—for the Mountain, for the summers, for the sound of the ocean.

Correio dos Açores: Where does Genesis sit within today’s Portuguese music landscape?

André Goulart: My influences come from jazz and blues, especially the Great American Songbook—artists like John Mayer, Michael Bublé, George Benson, B.B. King, John Coltrane. This EP blends those roots with pop and acoustic folk, creating something that feels both classic and contemporary.

I’m also inspired by Portuguese artists like Rui Veloso, Tiago Bettencourt, and Salvador Sobral. While much of today’s Portuguese music leans toward electronic pop, what speaks to me is something more organic—the raw honesty of voice and guitar, like António Zambujo often delivers.

That’s the space I want to inhabit: the singer-songwriter tradition, where simplicity becomes depth, and where the classics are reimagined through a personal lens.

Correio dos Açores: What does it mean to debut this project at home, in Madalena?

André Goulart: It means everything. This is where I grew up—my true Genesis. Many artists leave home to find recognition, but I’ve been fortunate to feel supported right here.

I’m deeply grateful to the municipalities of Madalena and Lajes do Pico for their support in making this EP possible. Returning home after growing as a musician in Porto—and sharing that journey with the people and teachers who shaped me—is incredibly special.

Correio dos Açores: What can audiences expect from the concert?

André Goulart: An intimate, honest experience. Just my soul, laid bare in every song.

It will be a trio performance—voice and guitar, joined by Marino de Freitas on acoustic bass and Manu Teixeira on percussion. Everything will be live, organic, stripped of artifice. The focus is on connection—between musicians, and with the audience.

We’ll perform the six original songs from the EP, along with new arrangements of Azorean traditional music and interpretations of beloved Portuguese songs. There will also be two surprise guest appearances—artists who have been important in my journey.

Correio dos Açores: Can you build a national career while staying rooted in the Azores?

André Goulart: I believe you can. My dream is to take this EP on tour across all the islands. But at the same time, stepping outside—coming to the mainland—is essential for growth.

In places like Porto, you’re surrounded by opportunity, but also by incredible talent. It challenges you. It humbles you. It pushes you forward.

Still, wherever we go, we carry the Azores with us. Home isn’t just a place—it’s the people we meet along the way. And they’re the reason we make music in the first place.

José Henrique Andrade is a journalist for Correio dos Açores- Natalino Viveiros, director.