Champignon

Origin

Santos, SP

Genres

rock, alternative rock, pop rock, ska

Instruments

bass guitar, vocals, beatboxing, acoustic guitar

Biography

Luiz Carlos Leão Duarte Júnior, widely known by his artistic moniker Champignon, was a Brazilian multi-instrumentalist, beatboxer, and singer. Born in Santos, he rose to prominence as the co-founder and bassist of the enormously popular rock band Charlie Brown Jr., which he formed alongside vocalist Chorão in the 1990s. His distinctive bass lines, blending slap techniques, reggae grooves, and punk attitude, helped bring the bass guitar from the background to the forefront of Brazilian pop-rock. Throughout his career, he also participated in other musical projects, including Revolucionnários, Nove Mil Anjos alongside Junior Lima, and A Banca.

Recognized for his immense technical skill, Champignon won multiple awards as the best bassist at the MTV Video Music Brasil and the Multishow Brazilian Music Awards. Music critics frequently compared his energetic stage presence and fretboard agility to Red Hot Chili Peppers bassist Flea. After the tragic passing of his longtime bandmate Chorão in 2013, Champignon fronted the tribute band A Banca before his untimely death later that same year. His legacy remains deeply etched in the history of Brazilian alternative rock and youth culture.