Haroldo Bontempo

Origin

Minas Gerais, MG

Years Active

2015

Genres

MPB, bossa nova, samba, indie, jazz, clube da esquina

Instruments

vocals, guitar, acoustic guitar, bass, drums, flute, saxophone

Biography

Haroldo Bontempo is a Brazilian singer, songwriter, and multi-instrumentalist hailing from the countryside of Minas Gerais. He began his musical journey in 2015 with the band Mineiros da Lua, which gained significant traction within Belo Horizonte's independent music scene and other Brazilian circuits. Bontempo launched his solo career in 2020, delving into Brazilian music with influences ranging from samba and bossa nova to the sonic universe of Clube da Esquina, while also incorporating contemporary elements from national indie and psychedelic music. He aims to revitalize traditional rhythms and foster dialogue around the new generation of MPB.

His discography includes the albums "Músicas para Travessia" (2020) and the self-titled "Haroldo Bontempo" (2022), as well as the EP "Indie Hippie Retrô Brasileiro" (2024). The latter featured a collaboration with the legendary João Donato and expanded his international reach, with his music being broadcast on prestigious stations worldwide, including BBC, NTS, and Jazz FM in the UK, and KCRW and NPR in the United States. Bontempo's music has been recognized for its blend of traditional Brazilian sounds with modern indie sensibilities.

More recently, Bontempo released "Ao Vivo em Quarteto," a live album capturing the intimacy and energy of his songs in a leaner, organic format. This project, recorded with a quartet featuring Bê Moura on drums, Carol Ramalho on electric bass, and Vinícius Mendes on flute and saxophone, reinterprets his existing catalog. The album emphasizes the interaction between musicians and the spontaneous energy of a live performance, reflecting musical relationships built over several years. "Ao Vivo em Quarteto" has garnered international attention, leading to a vinyl release distributed in over 30 countries and Bontempo's first solo European tour.

Discography

• Músicas para Travessia (2020)
• Haroldo Bontempo (2022)
• Ao Vivo em Quarteto (2026)