Geronimo Santana

Origin

Salvador, BA

Also known as

Geronimo Santana Duarte

Years active

1960s

Genres

axé music, samba reggae, ijexá, samba de roda, mpb

Instruments

vocal, trompete, percussão

Biography

Geronimo Santana Duarte, born in Salvador, Bahia, on June 26, 1953, is a renowned Brazilian singer, songwriter, and conductor, widely recognized as one of the pioneers of Axé Music. His musical journey began in childhood as a member of the Philharmonic Orchestra of Ilha de Bom Jesus dos Passos, where he was born. In the 1960s, he was already performing on the stages of Salvador, consolidating his presence in the Bahian music scene.

With a body of work deeply rooted in Afro-Brazilian culture, Geronimo is known for incorporating the ijexá rhythm into his compositions, exploring themes that celebrate Black and popular identity. His most emblematic song, "É d'Oxum", composed in partnership with Vevé Calasans, became a major national success when it was recorded by Gal Costa and included in the soundtrack of the Rede Globo miniseries "Tenda dos Milagres". Other hits like "Eu sou Negão" and "Lambada da Delícia" also left their mark on the Bahian carnival.

Throughout his career, Geronimo worked as a percussionist for the Trio Elétrico Dodô e Osmar and worked with Luiz Caldas, in addition to having been an Afro dancer. His music is recognized for its rhythmic and harmonic richness, with a strong influence from genres such as samba-reggae and samba de roda. Artists like Maria Bethânia, Elba Ramalho, Margareth Menezes, and Carlinhos Brown have interpreted his compositions, attesting to Geronimo Santana's relevance to Brazilian popular music.