Marcos Ariel

Origin

Rio de Janeiro, RJ

Also known as

Marcos Barcellos

Years active

1978

Genres

jazz, samba, choro, brazilian instrumental music, bossa nova

Instruments

piano, keyboard, flute

Biography

Marcos Ariel Barcellos is a Brazilian pianist, keyboardist, arranger, and composer, born in Rio de Janeiro on February 3, 1952. His musical career, spanning over four decades, is marked by the fusion of genres such as jazz, samba, choro, and classical music, resulting in a unique and internationally recognized style.

He began his musical studies in childhood, focusing on classical piano, but his passion for jazz led him to explore new sounds, influenced by figures such as Hermeto Pascoal and Chick Corea. In 1978, he founded his first group, Grupo Usina, and in 1981 he released his acclaimed debut album, "Bambu," which earned him the Chiquinha Gonzaga Award and was released in several countries. His participation in festivals such as the Free Jazz Festival, starting in 1986, consolidated his presence on the Brazilian and international music scene.

The success of the album "Terra do Índio" (1988) opened doors for his career in the United States, where he began performing frequently. Throughout the 1990s, he released albums like "Rhapsody in Rio" (1991) and "Hand Dance" (1992) through the North American record label Nova Records, expanding his reach to Europe and Japan. Marcos Ariel has also collaborated with various artists and participated in projects that explore the richness of Brazilian music, always maintaining his characteristic sonic identity.