Mônica Millet

Origin

Salvador, BA

Also known as

Mônica Nazareth Renée Millet

Years Active

1976

Genres

MPB, afro-brazilian music

Instruments

percussion, atabaque

Biography

Mônica Millet is a renowned percussionist, composer, producer, musical director, arranger, and activist of Afro-Brazilian popular culture. Granddaughter of the iconic Mãe Menininha do Gantois and daughter of Mãe Cleusa do Gantois, her connection to Afro-Brazilian rhythms is deep and dates back to her childhood, lived in the candomblé terreiros.

Millet is a pioneer for having been the first female percussionist to record African drums on a record, on Maria Bethânia's LP "Pássaro proibido" (1976). She also founded the first Female Atabaque Collective, called TamboAAyó, and was featured in the "Mestras do Saber" project. Her career includes collaborations with major names in Brazilian music such as Gilberto Gil, Caetano Veloso, Maria Bethânia, Gal Costa, and Marisa Monte, as well as international tours with artists like Billy Cobhan.

Her work extends beyond music, with a strong engagement in the preservation and dissemination of Afro-Brazilian culture. Mônica Millet is recognized for her research and work as a music educator, having directed the UFBA dance group ODUNDÊ and participated in various cultural projects. In 2020, her career was the subject of the documentary "Toque feminino: Mulheres percussionistas de Salvador".

Discography

• モニカ・ミレット = Monica Millet, グルーポ・アシェ・ド・ブラジル = Grupo Ase do Brasil, Filhos de Gandhy, Ile Aiye – アフロ・ブラジルの宗教儀礼カンドンブレ = Candomble, The Origins Of Afro-Brazilian Music (2008)