Edison Machado

Origin

Rio de Janeiro, RJ

Also known as

Edson Machado

Years Active

1949–1990

Genres

bossa nova, samba, jazz, MPB

Instruments

drums

Biography

Edison dos Santos Machado was a celebrated self-taught Brazilian drummer and composer, born in Rio de Janeiro. Recognized as one of the greatest exponents of drumming in national music alongside Milton Banana, he revolutionized the instrument in the 1950s by creating the "samba on the cymbal" technique. His rhythmic innovation helped shape both modern samba and bossa nova, leaving an indelible mark on the country's musical history.

Throughout his career, he joined and founded fundamental groups of our instrumental scene, such as Bossa Três, Sérgio Mendes's Bossa Rio, and Rio 65 Trio. His acclaimed solo debut album, Edison Machado é Samba Novo, released in 1964, became a worldwide reference for drummers and featured arrangements and participation by great names such as Moacyr Santos, J.T. Meirelles, Raul de Souza, and Tenório Júnior. He also collaborated with legends like Tom Jobim, Paulo Moura, and Luiz Bonfá.

In 1976, he moved to the United States, where he lived for fourteen years, recording with major international artists such as Chet Baker and Ron Carter, as well as performing at jazz festivals around the world. Back in Brazil, he passed away in Rio de Janeiro in 1990, having his work immortalized in the history of Brazilian popular music.

Discography

• Edison Machado É Samba Novo (1964)
• Tristeza (1966)
• Gene Bertoncini, Michael Moore (2) Special Guest Edison Machado – O Grande Amor: A Bossa Nova Collection (1986)
• EDI (1989)
• Arte Amada (1991)
• Edison Machado & Boa Nova (2025)