Yamandu Costa

Origin

Passo Fundo, RS

Also known as

Yamandu

Years Active

1997–present

Genres

música popular brasileira, choro, bossa nova, milonga, jazz, tango, samba, chamamé, brazilian folk, instrumental, baião

Instruments

violão de sete cordas, guitar

Biography

Yamandu Costa is a highly acclaimed Brazilian guitarist and composer, born on January 24, 1980, in Passo Fundo, Rio Grande do Sul. His primary instrument is the violão de sete cordas, the Brazilian seven-string classical guitar. Costa began his musical journey at the age of seven, studying guitar with his father, Algacir Costa, who led the group Os Fronteiriços. He further honed his skills under the guidance of Argentine virtuoso Lúcio Yanel. By fifteen, Costa was exploring the folk music of southern Brazil, as well as the music of Argentina and Uruguay.

Influenced by Brazilian composers like Radamés Gnattali, Baden Powell de Aquino, Tom Jobim, and Raphael Rabello, Costa developed a unique style that blends various genres. His music often incorporates elements of choro, bossa nova, milonga, tango, samba, and chamamé, characterized by intricate passages, high tempo, and delicate melodies. Costa's international recognition grew significantly after his appearance in Mika Kaurismäki's 2005 documentary film "Brasileirinho," which celebrated the world of Brazilian choro music.

Costa has released numerous albums and DVDs, collaborating with a wide range of artists and symphony orchestras worldwide. He has received multiple Latin Grammy nominations and won the award for Best Instrumental Album in 2021 for "Bachianinha - Live at Rio Montreux Jazz Festival" with Toquinho. Yamandu Costa is celebrated for his technical brilliance, passionate performances, and his role in reviving interest in Brazilian guitar music, inspiring many young musicians.

Discography

• Pintando O 7 (1998)
• Diamandu (1999)
• Yamandú (2001)
• Lúcio Yanel & Yamandu Costa – Dois Tempos (2001)
• Yamandú Ao Vivo (2003)
• Paulo Moura & Yamandú Costa – El Negro Del Blanco (2004)
• Tokyo Session (2006)
• Yamandu+Dominguinhos (2007)
• Ida e Volta (2007)
• Trio Madeira Brasil, Paulo Moura, Yamandu Costa, Zé da Velha e Silvério Pontes, Teresa Cristina e Grupo Semente, Joel Nascimento, Jorginho do Pandeiro, Marcos Suzano, Zezé Gonzaga, Maurício Carrilho, Luciana Rabello – Brasileirinho - Grandes Encontros do Choro Contemporâneo (2007)
• Mafuá (2008)
• Yamandu Costa, Hamilton de Holanda – Luz da Aurora (2010)
• Yamandu + Dominguinhos - Lado B (2010)
• Yamandú Valter (2010)
• Lida (2011)
• Yamandu Costa & Rogério Caetano (2012)
• Continente (2013)
• Yamandu Costa & Guto Wirtti – Bailongo (2014)
• Yamandú Costa, Leandro Carvalho (2), Orquestra do Estado de Mato Grosso – Concerto de Fronteira (2014)
• Yamandu Costa, Alessandro Kramer, Rogério Caetano, Luis Barcelos – Tocata à Amizade (2015)
• Yamandu Costa & Alessandro Penezzi – Quebranto (2017)
• Recanto - Latinos Vol. I (2017)
• Borghetti Yamandu (2017)
• Yamandú Costa, Ricardo Herz (2018)
• Yamandú Costa Interpreta Concerto para Violão de 7 Cordas (2018)
• Vento Sul (2019)
• Festejo (2020)
• Nashville 1996 (2020)
• Yamandú Costa, Martín Sued, Luís Guerreiro – Caminantes (2021)
• Luiz Carlos Borges, Yamandu Costa, Rudi Y Nini Flores – Cosa de Hermanos... (2021)
• Caballeros (2021)
• Encontro de Gerações na Música Instrumental Brasileira (Ao Vivo) (2021)
• Bachianinha: Toquinho e Yamandu Costa (Live at Rio Montreux Jazz Festival) (2021)
• Jazz Cigano Quinteto e Yamandu Costa (2022)
• Simpatia (2022)
• Encontro das Águas (2023)
• De Vida y Vuelta (2023)
• António Zambujo, Yamandú Costa – Prenda Minha (2024)
• Yamandu Costa com Martín Sued & Orquestra Assintomática – Saga (2024)
• Jan Lundgren & Yamandu Costa – Inner Spirits (2024)
• Uno a Uno (2024)
• Helping Hands (2024)
• Santuario (2026)
• Estrada Longa (2026)
• Em Casa (2026)
• El Arranque (2026)
• Guitarras Pal Sur (2026)
• Peregrino (2026)
• La Quinta Esencia (2026)
• Youtube Sessions