DUO SUDESTE was formed in 2008 by Robert Thompson and Joey Butler. Merging their love of Latin music, classical guitar, and knowledge of Latin rhythms, they formed a guitar duo specializing in composers from South America––mainly Argentina and Brazil. As active performers, they have performed numerous concerts and on NPR's Live in Studio C in Nashville and The Intimate Guitar in Dayton, Ohio. Their debut CD entitled Viagem ao Sul (Voyage to the South) was released in 2015 with wonderful acclaim. In 2018 the duo released their second CD entitled Noviembre. Their recordings have been featured on NPR playlists. DUO SUDESTE blends the relaxing calm and the fiery soul found in Latin American music.

ROBERT THOMPSON works as a performer, recording artist, and serves on the guitar faculty at Belmont University and Nashville State Community College. Thompson has performed at guitar festivals and on concerts series throughout the United States. He made his New York City debut at Carnegie Hall Studios. Robert has performed on Nashville Public Radio and Television, Classical Guitar Alive, The Intimate Guitar, Inside Classical Guitar, The Montreux Jazz Festival, The Nashville Ballet, the musicals Chicago, Anything Goes, and Man of La Mancha at Tennessee Performing Arts Center with Robert Goulet, Cheekwood Estate and Garden, The Tennessee Arts Academy, and The Ryman Auditorium. Thompson has participated in master classes with Sérgio and Odair Assad, Manuel Barrueco, Leo Brouwer, Roland Dyens, Eduardo Fernandez, Shin-ichi Fukuda, Ulisses Rocha, and David Russell. He performs in the Nashville-based DUO SUDESTE featuring classical guitar duo music and arrangements from Brazil, Latin America, and Spain. They have released two CDs entitled, Viagem ao Sul (Voyage to the South) and Noviembre (November). Their upcoming recording will feature the debut of a new composition by Sérgio Assad (written for the duo) and works by Bellinati, Corea, Desmond, Gismonti, Merlin, Montes, and others.

JOEY BUTLER grew up playing electric guitar in local rock bands until falling in love with classical guitar upon hearing his first Segovia album. He’s played with acts in various styles, ranging from jazz fusion and Jamaican ska to Latin American folk. He and Duo Sudeste partner Robert Thompson met while performing with Serenatta Romantic Latin Ensemble and formed their guitar duo in 2008.

Duo Sudeste’s third album remains rooted in their love of Latin American music while also exploring American jazz standards and arrangements of classics by two of England’s biggest rock stars: Sting and Led Zeppelin. Most notably, Tres features the world premiere and debut recording of The Dancer and the Joker, composed for the duo by Sérgio Assad. Iconic works by Paulo Bellinati, Egberto Gismonti, Celso Machado, Alfonso Montes, and Astor Piazzolla are also included.