Alex Madureira

Origin

Piracicaba, SP

Also known as

Alexander Muniz de Oliveira, Alex de Madureira

Years Active

1995

Genres

forró, MPB, jazz, regional northeastern music, barroco do forró

Instruments

guitar, violão

Biography

Alex Madureira, born Alexander Muniz de Oliveira in Piracicaba, São Paulo, on September 17, 1976, is a multifaceted Brazilian artist known for his contributions as a musician, composer, arranger, and producer. His musical journey began in his youth, influenced by his father, a saxophonist who led a frevo orchestra, and by neighbors who were radio broadcasters. Madureira started playing guitar around the age of 13 and later became part of the first music class at the Federal University of Paraíba (UFPB).

His career as a professional musician took off in the 1970s as a guitarist in dance bands. In the mid-1980s, he moved to Rio de Janeiro, where he played with bands like "Gasolina Azul" and "Flor de Cactus." He also contributed to Lenine and Lula Queiroga's LP "Baque Solto" and performed alongside Xangai, Jacues Morelembaum, and Mingo Araújo. After eleven years in Rio, Madureira returned to João Pessoa in the early 1990s, where he continued to develop his unique musical style, often described as expanding the concept of "barroco do forró" with his creative use of electric guitar and influences from jazz and regional Northeastern music.

Madureira's work extends to producing and participating in projects with various Paraíban artists, including Paulo de Tarso, Kennedy Costa, and Escurinho. He is recognized by the artistic community of Paraíba as a "Living Cultural Heritage" for his role in promoting Brazilian popular music. His solo album, "Deu o Carai!," features authorial compositions where he reimagines forró with a syncopated rhythm, replacing the traditional accordion with electric guitar, zabumba, and triangle. He has also collaborated with artists like Totonho on his album "Coco Ostentação."