Mariene de Castro

Origin

Salvador, BA

Also known as

Antonio Mauricio De Castro, Mariene Bezerra de Castro

Years Active

1995

Genres

samba, samba de roda, MPB, regional

Instruments

vocals, acoustic guitar

Biography

Mariene de Castro is a distinguished Brazilian singer, composer, and actress originally from Salvador, Bahia. Born in 1978, she began her artistic journey in dance before transitioning to music, discovering a rare contralto vocal range that would become her signature. Her career took off in the mid-1990s as a backing vocalist for Bahian stars like Carlinhos Brown and within the ranks of the percussion-heavy group Timbalada.

De Castro's solo career is deeply rooted in Afro-Brazilian culture and the traditions of the Recôncavo Baiano. She gained significant acclaim with her debut album Abre Caminho in 2004, which featured songs by legendary figures such as Caetano Veloso and her frequent collaborator Roque Ferreira. This work earned her prestigious accolades, including the Tim Music Award. Her ability to blend traditional samba de roda with contemporary sensibilities was further showcased in her live recordings, such as Santo de Casa, which featured local folk groups like the Ganhadeiras de Itapoã.

Throughout her career, she has performed on major international stages and participated in historic national events, most notably singing during the extinguishing of the Olympic flame at the Rio 2016 closing ceremony. She has collaborated extensively with iconic Brazilian artists, including Maria Bethânia, Beth Carvalho, and Zeca Pagodinho. In 2020, her collaborative album Acaso Casa with Pernambuco singer Almério was nominated for a Latin Grammy, solidifying her status as a vital voice in modern Brazilian roots music.

Discography

• Abre Caminho (2005)
• Santo de Casa (Ao Vivo) (2010)
• Tabaroinha (2012)
• Ser de Luz - Uma Homenagem a Clara Nunes (2013)
• Colheita (2014)
• Almério, Mariene de Castro – Acaso Casa (2019)
• Acaso Casa Ao Vivo (2019)
• Maria da Canção (2023)