Antulio Madureira

Origin

Natal, RN

Years active

1970

Genres

MPB, movimento armorial, música instrumental

Instruments

multi-instrumentalist, serrote, berimbau de lata, cabala, marimbau com arco, garrafone, violão

Biography

Born in Natal, Rio Grande do Norte, on August 3, 1957, Antulio Madureira is a composer, multi-instrumentalist, and artisan deeply connected to the rich cultural heritage of Northeast Brazil. He moved to Recife at the age of seven, where he developed his musical education and artistic career. Madureira's work is strongly associated with the Movimento Armorial, an artistic movement founded by Ariano Suassuna that sought to create a Brazilian erudite art form rooted in popular folklore. His music often blends elements of Northeastern popular culture with European classical music, incorporating influences from theater, dance, and circus.

Madureira is renowned for his innovative approach to instrument creation and performance. He crafts unique musical instruments from unconventional materials, such as saws, gourds, and scrap metal, transforming them into sound-producing objects that emulate various timbres and musical styles. This inventive spirit is evident in his solo albums, like "Teatro Instrumental" (1994) and "Perré-Bumbá" (1998), where he explores a wide range of sounds and rhythms, often pushing the boundaries of traditional music.

Beyond his solo work, Antulio Madureira was a key figure in the Balé Popular do Recife, a dance company founded by his family in 1977. He served as the musical director for the group for nearly two decades, contributing to the research and dissemination of Northeastern popular manifestations like frevo, caboclinho, and bumba meu boi. His artistic journey also includes collaborations with other prominent Brazilian artists, such as his brother Antônio Madureira, a central figure in the Movimento Armorial.