Júlio Fernando de Jesus Pereira, known as Júlio Pereira, was born on December 22, 1953, in Moscavide, Portugal. He began playing the mandolin at age seven and started his career with rock bands like The Playboys and Petrus Castrus. A meeting with José Mário Branco during the recording of Mestre in Paris led him to focus on traditional Portuguese music. Following the 1974 Carnation Revolution, Pereira directed the music for Raul Solnado's play Liberdade, liberdade. His debut solo album, Bota-Fora (1975), addressed themes of colonialism. Throughout the 1970s and 1980s, he released albums like Fernandinho Vai ó Vinho (1976) and Lisboémia (1978). In 1981, Pereira helped revitalize the cavaquinho with a dedicated album. Notable collaborations include projects with Pete Seeger, The Chieftains, Carlos do Carmo, and Chico Buarque. In 2013, he released Cavaquinho.pt, highlighting the global influence of the instrument.
