Maogani

Origin

Rio de Janeiro, RJ

Also known as

Quarteto Maogani, Grupo Maogani, Maogani Quartet, Maogani Quarteto

Years Active

1994

Genres

choro, instrumental music, samba, brazilian popular music

Instruments

guitar

Biography

Maogani, a name that evokes mahogany, is a guitar quartet formed in late 1994 in Rio de Janeiro, establishing itself as one of Brazil's most renowned instrumental groups. Their unique sound, arrangements crafted by the members themselves, and interpretations that blend the delicacy of chamber music with the spontaneity of popular music are their trademarks. The group emerged from a meeting of students at the UFRJ School of Music, seeking to unite the foundation of classical guitar with a passion for Brazilian popular music.

Throughout its career, Maogani has released eight albums, including "Maogani" (1997), "Cordas Cruzadas" (2001), "Água de Beber" (2004), and "Maogani Autoral" (2024), the group's first entirely original album. The quartet has collaborated with several renowned artists, such as Guinga, Mônica Salmaso, Lenine, Renato Braz, Sérgio Mendes, Leila Pinheiro, and Joyce Moreno.

Maogani has been voted Best Instrumental Group three times at the Brazilian Music Award (2002, 2004, and 2015), in addition to receiving other important awards. To celebrate its 30 years of existence in 2024, the group presented a new lineup featuring guitarists Diogo Sili and Lucas Gralato, who joined founders Carlos Chaves and Paulo Aragão. The quartet continues to explore new sounds and expand its repertoire, remaining an important continuation of the Brazilian guitar tradition.

Discography

• Maogani - Quarteto de Violões (1997)
• Cordas Cruzadas (2001)
• Água de Beber (2004)
• Impressão de Choro (2007)
• Pairando - Maogani Interpreta Nazareth (2014)
• Renato Braz, Quarteto Maogani – Canela (2015)