Renato Matos

Origin

Salvador, BA

Years active

1977

Genres

mpb, reggae, folk

Instruments

vocals, multi-instrument

Biography

Renato Matos is a multifaceted Brazilian artist born in Salvador, Bahia, on March 4, 1952. Throughout his career, he has established himself as a poet, visual artist, singer, composer, and multi-instrumentalist. In 1977, he made history as the first artist to perform at the "Concerto Cabeças," a foundational cultural movement in Brasília. Over the decades, Matos has traveled internationally, representing Brazil at cultural festivals and studying music at the Berklee College of Music in Boston, while his compositions have been recorded by prominent artists such as Léo Jaime.

As his career progressed, Matos became a vital figure in the cultural scene of Brasília and beyond. He formed various musical projects, including the groups Trem das Cores and Acarajazz, and collaborated with notable performers like Cássia Eller. His diverse artistic output includes the release of albums such as Plug, Afterreggae, and Zirigdum do Além, the latter of which earned him recognition and awards in France for his innovative use of monocord elements inspired by the berimbau. In addition to his extensive musical discography, he has contributed to Brazilian cinema and remains active as a performer with his Banda Laya and the trio Sacassaia.

Matos's deep cultural contributions have earned him significant honors, including the title of "Comendador da Ordem do Mérito Cultural" in the Distrito Federal. Beyond his own musical endeavors, he is also known as the father of singer Flora Matos, extending his artistic legacy to the next generation of Brazilian music. His enduring presence in Brazilian poetry, visual arts, and music highlights a lifetime dedicated to cultural expression and artistic experimentation.