Marimbanda

Origin

Fortaleza, CE

Years active

1999

Genres

instrumental, brazilian jazz, mpb

Instruments

flute, piano, escaleta, bass, drums, percussion

Biography

Marimbanda is a highly acclaimed instrumental music group from Ceará, Brazil, formed in 1999. Over its 25-year history, the quartet has achieved national recognition and performed in numerous prestigious festivals and tours both within Brazil and internationally. Their music is characterized by a blend of virtuosity and simplicity, tradition and innovation, technical skill and inspiration.

The group's repertoire draws heavily from Brazilian rhythms such as baião, frevo, samba, and choro, often infused with jazzistic re-interpretations that give their sound a unique character and a distinct northeastern flavor. Marimbanda's current lineup includes Heriberto Porto on flutes, Thiago Almeida on piano and escaleta, Netinho de Sá on bass, and Michael da Silva on drums. The group also pays homage to its founder and main composer, the late Luizinho Duarte, whose work is featured in their albums and songbooks.

Marimbanda has released several albums, including "Marimbanda" (2001), "Tente Descobrir" (2005), "Caminhar" (2020), and "Lindo Sol" (2024). They have collaborated with notable artists such as Carlos Malta and the Irmãos Aniceto, and their projects have been recognized and selected by initiatives like Rumos 2017/2018. The group is known for its engaging live performances and its commitment to musical education through workshops and community outreach.