Jose Bittencourt

Origin

Tobias Barreto, SE

Genres

experimental music, contemporary classical, free improvisation, south american folk music

Instruments

percussion, found objects

Biography

José Bittencourt is a Brazilian musician, composer, and researcher known for his innovative approach to percussion and sound experimentation. His work often explores the use of unconventional instruments and sound sources, pushing the boundaries of traditional musical performance.

Bittencourt holds a Bachelor's Degree in Percussion Performance from the Federal University of Santa Maria, Brazil, and has pursued advanced studies in music performance in Portugal. His academic research delves into areas such as "Percussion and instrumentality: exploring the performance of unusual instruments and sound sources" and "The use of water as a percussive sound source." These investigations have led to new insights into experimental percussion and the use of found objects as musical instruments.

Throughout his career, Bittencourt has collaborated with a diverse range of artists, including Lee Ranaldo and Leah Singer of Sonic Youth, and has performed internationally. His performances are often described as "a torrent of originality" and "a master of sound experimentation," showcasing his ability to create unique timbres and sonorities from a wide array of sources. He is recognized for his ability to elicit sound from virtually any object, transforming the mundane into the musical.