Thiago França

Origin

Belo Horizonte, MG

Also known as

Thiago de Castro Amaral Cavalieri França

Years active

1999

Genres

mpb, jazz, afrobeat, cumbia, samba, choro, carnival music, experimental

Instruments

saxophone, flute, pocket piano

Biography

Thiago França is a prominent Brazilian musician, composer, and arranger, born in Belo Horizonte, Minas Gerais, on September 17, 1980. His musical journey began at a young age, with him starting to study the saxophone at 11 and composing at 16. After moving to São Paulo, he pursued popular music studies at Unicamp in Campinas. França is a multi-instrumentalist, with the saxophone being his primary instrument, but he also plays flute and pocket piano.

França is a key figure in the Brazilian music scene, known for his work in various projects. He is a founding member of the acclaimed Afro-punk trio Metá Metá, alongside Kiko Dinucci and Juçara Marçal. He also leads "A Espetacular Charanga do França," a vibrant brass band and carnival collective that blends influences from jazz, cumbia, and Brazilian carnival traditions. His solo project, Sambanzo, explores a fusion of Afrobeat, free jazz, and Latin music. França has released over 30 albums and EPs and has collaborated with a vast array of artists.

His contributions to Brazilian music have been recognized with awards such as the APCA for Best Album (MM3, 2015) and Special Project (Charanga, 2022). França's discography includes solo albums like "Na Gafieira" and "Etiópia," as well as numerous collaborations. He has shared stages and recorded with notable Brazilian artists such as Elza Soares, Criolo, Céu, and Marcelo D2, solidifying his reputation as one of Brazil's most versatile and respected musicians.