Uakti

Origin

Belo Horizonte, MG

Years active

1978–2015

Genres

instrumental, experimental, minimalism, MPB, contemporary classical, world music

Instruments

pvc pans, marimba d'angelim, glass marimba, iarra, chori smetano, torre, trilobita, flute, cello, percussion

Biography

Uakti was a groundbreaking Brazilian instrumental ensemble formed in 1978 in Belo Horizonte, Minas Gerais. Known for their unique sonic identity, the group utilized unconventional instruments designed and constructed by their leader, Marco Antônio Guimarães. The ensemble's name is derived from a Tukano indigenous legend about a mythological being whose perforated body produced music when the wind blew through it. Guimarães, a classically trained cellist, developed these instruments using materials like PVC pipes, wood, glass, and metal, influenced by the teachings of Walter Smetak and Ernest Widmer at the Federal University of Bahia.

The group's most enduring lineup included Guimarães, Artur Andrés Ribeiro, Paulo Sérgio Santos, and Décio Ramos. Throughout their career, they collaborated extensively with legendary Brazilian musicians, most notably Milton Nascimento, with whom they recorded the album Sentinela in 1980. Their work often blended contemporary classical structures with a "primitive" or tribal resonance, drawing comparisons to minimalist styles. Uakti's partnership with the renowned dance company Grupo Corpo resulted in several acclaimed soundtracks, including 21 and I Ching.

Uakti gained significant international recognition in the late 1980s and 1990s, recording with major international figures and releasing several albums under the Point Music label. Despite their global reach, they remained deeply rooted in Brazilian culture, recording arrangements of works by Heitor Villa-Lobos and Tom Jobim. The group officially disbanded in 2015 due to internal and financial pressures, leaving behind a legacy of innovation and a vast discography that redefined the boundaries of percussion and instrumental music in Brazil.