Casuarina

Origin

Rio de Janeiro, RJ

Years active

2001

Genres

samba, choro

Instruments

7-string acoustic guitar, vocals, tambourine, mandolin, cavaquinho, percussion

Biography

The Casuarina group emerged in 2001, in the Humaitá neighborhood of Rio de Janeiro, formed by Daniel Montes (7-string acoustic guitar), Gabriel Azevedo (vocals and tambourine), João Fernando (mandolin) and Rafael Freire (cavaquinho). Casuarina Street, where the group rehearsed, gave the band its name, which quickly became an exponent of Rio de Janeiro's samba, taking its music to various parts of Brazil and the world. Initially, the musicians got together in an unpretentious way, but the strength and quality of their performances led them to pack concert venues like Fundição Progresso and to perform on important international stages.

Casuarina's discography is marked by a strong identity with samba, but with room for experimentation and influences from other genres. The first, self-titled album was released in 2005 and featured recordings of samba classics, as well as special guest appearances. Over the years, the group has released several albums and DVDs, consolidating their position in the Brazilian music scene. An important milestone was the album "Certidão" (2007), with a predominantly original repertoire, demonstrating the maturity and creativity of the group's composers. Casuarina's work also stands out for partnerships with renowned Brazilian artists, such as Elza Soares, Arlindo Cruz, Alcione and Yamandu Costa, which further enrich the sound and reach of their music.

Casuarina is recognized not only for its musical quality, but also for its role in the revitalization of Lapa, a bohemian neighborhood in Rio de Janeiro and the birthplace of samba. The group actively participated in the musical scene that resurfaced in the region from the 2000s onwards, contributing to the new popularization of the genre. With a career spanning more than two decades, Casuarina celebrates its history with albums that revisit its hits and present new compositions, keeping the flame of samba and the contagious joy of Brazilian music alive. In 2017, João Cavalcanti left the group to pursue a solo career, and more recently, Daniel Montes also stepped down, with Casuarina continuing as a trio.