Ricardo Branco was born on February 17, 1986 in Torres Vedras, Portugal. In 1999, he started to study saxophone in the Volunteer Fire Department band of Torres Vedras. In that same year he began studying at the “Music Conservatory Luis Antonio Maldonado Rodrigues”, where he attended classes for five years. He also attended the National Conservatory of Lisbon.

In 2004, studying Jazz in the “Jazz School of Torres Vedras” with Professor Jose Menezes, he attended several courses and masterclasses, where he studied with teachers: Fernando Ramos, Jose Massarrao, Mario Marzi, Henk Van Twillert, Scott Wendholt, Greg Tardy, John Fedchock, Jonatan Kreisberg, Gary Versace, Matt Penman, Gerald Cleaver, Francisco Blanco, Joao Falcato, Mario Laginha, Bernardo Moreira, Julian Arguelles, Pedro Moreira, Mitchell J. Fennell, Mulgrew Miller, Ivan Taylor, Rodney Green, Steve Nelson, Antonio Hart, Alberto Pinton, Chris Cheek, George Garzone, Michael Cheret, John Davis, Joseph Lepore, Nir Felder, Adam Birnbaum, Sara Serpa, Greg Osby, Joe Lovano, Claus Nymark, Guto Lucena, Luis Perdomo, Hans Glawischnig, Henry Cole, Miguel Zenon, Mark Turner, Avishai Cohen, Robin Eubanks, Stefon Harris, Edward Simon, Eric Harland, Rogerio Boccato, Adam Cruz, Ben Street, Rudresh Mahanthappa, Danilo Perez.

From 2006 until 2013, he served his country and played in the Portuguese Air Force Band as saxophonist. For his service, he was awarded Public Praise for several values, including the “high artistic quality” and a Copper Medal for exemplary behavior.

In the academic year 2009/2010 he concluded his 3rd and final year of Jazz at the Music Academy in Lisbon.

In the academic year 2010/2011 he began his studies in Jazz Saxophone strand at the Higher School of Music in Lisbon.