Marcelo Bernardes

Origin

Rio de Janeiro, RJ

Genres

MPB, choro, instrumental music, new age

Instruments

flute, piccolo, clarinet, soprano saxophone, tenor saxophone

Biography

Marcelo Bernardes is a Brazilian multi-instrumentalist born in Rio de Janeiro on May 1, 1956. Known for his mastery of wind instruments such as the flute, piccolo, clarinet, soprano saxophone, and tenor saxophone, he began his professional career in 1973 as a member of the group A Barca do Sol. Throughout his career, he has collaborated with and accompanied legendary figures of Brazilian music, including Djavan, Moraes Moreira, Pepeu Gomes, Nana Caymmi, and Maria Bethânia.

Since 1990, Bernardes has been an integral part of Chico Buarque's band, performing and recording on all of the renowned composer's tours both in Brazil and abroad. Alongside his work in MPB and choro, he has explored diverse musical landscapes, joining the new age band Udiyana Bandha in 1995 and the choro ensemble Choro na Feira in 2000. He has also crossed genres to collaborate with reggae acts like Ponto de Equilíbrio, demonstrating his exceptional versatility as a wind instrumentalist.