Marco Lobo

Origin

Bahia, BA

Years Active

1978

Genres

MPB, instrumental music, jazz, samba-reggae, baião, maracatu, samba, experimental

Instruments

percussion, pandeiro

Biography

Marco Lobo is a Brazilian percussionist, composer, and rhythm researcher, born in Salvador, Bahia, on January 4, 1964. From childhood, he showed an interest in extracting sounds from unusual objects, which foreshadowed his future musical career. He began his professional journey at age 14, working in Salvador's nightlife circuit and playing with artists such as Abel Lobo and Jorge Zarath, in addition to joining bands like Banda Beijo, Gerônimo, Margareth Menezes, and Armandinho, Dodô e Osmar, participating in several Carnivals.

At age 20, he moved to Rio de Janeiro, where he expanded his work into instrumental music, collaborating with names such as Léo Gandelman, Marco Pereira, and João Carlos Assis Brasil. His versatility and talent led him to accompany great names of Brazilian Popular Music (MPB), including Elba Ramalho, Marisa Monte, Ivan Lins, Maria Bethânia, Lenine, Ana Carolina, João Bosco, Gilberto Gil, Caetano Veloso, and Titãs. Since 1999, Marco Lobo has been a member of Milton Nascimento's band, with whom he has recorded several albums.

On the international scene, Marco Lobo has developed projects with drummer Billy Cobham since 2006, touring Europe, Russia, Malaysia, and South America, and recording with him. In 2007, he released his first solo instrumental CD, "Aláfia", followed by other works that explore experimentalism and various Brazilian rhythms. His career also includes performances in theaters, jazz clubs, and festivals in Brazil and abroad, as well as percussion workshops. Marco Lobo is recognized for his unique musicality, precision, creativity, and emotion, utilizing both traditional instruments and his own creations in his performances.

Discography

• Alafia (2007)
• Marco Lobo (2011)
• Marco Lobo, e Convidados – Bahia (2011)
• Trio Elf, Marco Lobo – The Brazilian Album (2019)
• Armandinho Macêdo, Marco Lobo, Yacoce Simões – Retocando Gil e Caetano (2021)
• Armando Macedo, Marco Lobo, Yacoce Simões – Retocando Gil e Caetano (2021)
• Viola e Batuque (2023)
• Marco Lobo Quintet Live at the Bird’s Eye (2024)