Brazilian Rhythms & Styles Concert Performers
Classical and Popular Music Performers
Max Barros: Pianist/Educator/Artistic Director at BMF
Born in California and raised in Brazil, Mr. Barros was presented with the “Soloist of the Year ” Award (1985) by the São Paulo Music Critics Association. For the past 18 years, he has been co-artistic director and pianist for the Ensemble for the Romantic Century, a multimedia ensemble that combines music, theater and video, with more than 40 different productions in its repertoire. In June of 2016 he joined the Brazilian Music Foundation as Artistic Director of the Classical Music Department and (brought with him) his outstanding knowledge of Brazilian Classical Music and his musical talent. In 2019 he was nominated as Vice-President. As a champion of Brazilian Music, he won the “Discovery Award” from the Diapason magazine in France for his recordings of the 6 Piano Concertos of Camargo Guarnieri with the Warsaw Philharmonic under American conductor Thomas Conlin.
Max Barros has won wide acclaim as one of South America’s foremost pianists.
Evangelos Spanos: Greek American pianist
He currently holds a full-time position as a company pianist at American Ballet Theatre with whom he just performed two movements of Mozart Piano Concertos in Petite Mort at Lincoln Center. He also serves as music staff at the Kansas City Ballet, University of Missouri in Kansas City, Lyric Opera and has performed for many opera productions at the University of Kansas as well as accompanying master classes for Martha Graham, Merce Cunningham, Dance Theatre of Harlem and Mark Morris Dance Company to name a few. Most recently, he performed for productions at Kaufmann Center for the New Opera Everest by Joby Talbot, Music Hall (Book of Mormon), Starlight Theatre (Hairspray, Grease, Something Rotten, Little Mermaid) as well as playing for Evanescence and Zelda music concerts. He has recorded with the University of Kansas Wind Ensemble (Naxos Label) and has performed across the US, in Greece, and in the Czech Republic. Evangelos was born in Larissa, Greece and holds Doctor degree from the University of Kansas (2011).
Octávio Deluchi: Classical Guitar
Octávio Deluchi, a versatile artist, guitarist, composer, arranger, and community organizer hailing from Brazil’s Minas Gerais, is celebrated as one of his generation’s foremost guitarists. With music ingrained from a young age, Deluchi’s dynamic performances earned him recognition, notably debuting solo at Carnegie Hall at 24. Described as a pivotal figure in Brazilian guitar, his accolades include over 15 awards from esteemed competitions like the IBLA Grand Prize and Souza Lima Guitar Competition. His trajectory emphasizes cultural representation and collaboration, reflected in premieres and commissions from renowned composers. As a chamber player, he collaborates extensively, including with the João Luiz Guitar Quartet.
Carlos Almeida: Vocal & Guitar
Carlos Almeida is originally from Rio de Janeiro, where he began playing guitar at age 10. He received a university degree in economics, but the call of music was powerful and he abandoned that career for a life of samba and other styles of Brazilian music. During his career, he has played with major Brazilian stars, including Beth Carvalho, Jorje Aragão, Alcione, Martinho da Vila, Jair Rodrigues, Jorje Ben Jor – in fact there’s hardly an important musician in Brazil that Carlinhos hasn’t performed with. His repertoire is enormous, ranging from all styles of samba and pagode, to bossa nova, forró, choro, bolero, MPB (Brazilian popular music). He plays both 6-string and 7-string guitars, and his talents as a musician are extraordinary. Carlos been living and performing in the United States since 1987, where he is one of the leaders of the award-winning band, Grupo Saveiro, an integral member of Choro Ensemble, a leader of many custom ensembles for events. The music samples on this page feature Carlos as a soloist on guitar and vocals.
Mariana Bravo is a singer and actress from Rio de Janeiro, who started her career at the Brazilian Idols, where she achieved 11th place. Following that, she decided to study Musical Theatre, which led her to secure a scholarship at the New York Film Academy. Since then, she has been dedicating to both acting and singing, and has performed in some renown venues in NYC, such as The Pierre, The Plaza Hotel, Casa Cipriani and Baretto at Fasano. She can be seen performing different styles of Brazilian music weekly in the city.
For more information follow @mariana.bravo
Gil Oliveira: Drummer/ percussionist
Born and raised in Rio de Janeiro, the son of Paulinho Boca de Cantor, Gil was a vocalist in the legendary band Novos Baianos. He has been playing professionally since he was a teenager and has made appearances in concerts and on television with Gilberto Gil, Caetano Veloso, Ivete Sangalo, Moraes Moreira, Baby do Brasil, Bebel Gilberto, and the iconic guitarist Pepeu Gomes. Since 2007 he has performed in various clubs in New York City, among them; Cafe Wha, Sobs, Nublu, and the legendary B.B. Kings; alongside him, Italian singer, Jovanotti is one of his touring band members. Playing together at the Santa Monica Pier in Los Angeles, Stern Grove in San Francisco , Bonaroo in Tenessee, Austin City Limits in Texas, the Montreal jazz fest, as well as in New York’s Central Park Summerstage, Lincoln Center, and Carnegie Hall. Gil has also collaborated with Cyro Batista since 2007 as a member of Cyro’s bands, Beat the Donkey and Banquet Of The Spirits. Gil is currently working on his new album.
Hugo Sanbone: Trombone, sax , trumpet, accordion, and piano.
A versatile music educator, composer, and multi-instrumentalist renowned for his profound impact on Brazilian and Bahian popular music, contemporary compositions, and jazz. Armed with a Master’s degree in Music Education from Universidade Federal da Bahia and currently pursuing advanced studies in Jazz Composition at the University of Massachusetts. Hugo has performed with well known musicians such as Carlinhos Brown, Ivete Sangalo, Banda Araketu, Gilberto Gil, Caetano Veloso, Daniela Mercury, and Orkestra Rumpilez, among others. His contributions to Harmonia do Samba were pivotal in the group’s Latin Grammy recognition, while his association with Carlinhos Brown led to memorable performances with prestigious orchestras like Orkestra Rumpilezz, culminating in the establishment of the acclaimed Sanbone Pagode Orquestra. Hugo’s talent has been recognized with numerous accolades, including the Troféu Berimbau de Ouro, and nominations at The Best of Brazil Awards.
Miho Nobuzane: piano/keyboard/composer/vocalist
Born in Osaka Japan, a versatile musician, she began studying piano at the age of four at Yamaha Music School. After graduating from ”Kobe Yamate Women’s Junior College”, majoring in classical piano, her passion for jazz & Brazilian jazz changed her musical journey. Before coming to New York City, she was fortunate to meet & frequently perform with many renowned jazz musicians from the US. In New York City, she began to distinguish herself immediately in the Brazilian music scene. Subsequently, expanding to various music genres. Miho has performed with many well known musicians such as: Bernard Purdie, Martha Reeves & The Vandellas, Bakithi Kumalo, Filo Machado, Paula Lima, and many others. She has performed at many historical venues such as: Blue Note NY, Iridium NY, Long Beach Jazz Festival, Roselle Park Arts Festival, Jazz Forum, Flushing Town Hall,The Royal Hawaiian Center (Honolulu Hawaii), Monks (Austin) and many others. Miho is also an educator at Afro Latin Jazz Alliance.
Read more: https://MihoNobuzane.com
Esequias Ferreira: Clarinetist & Saxophonist
Esequias Ferreira has played clarinet since he was 14. Hailing from Santos, he is a seasoned musician with a rich background in Brazilian music. With a penchant for Samba and Choro, Esequias has made significant contributions to the music scene from Santos to São Paulo. His career includes notable experiences with the Cubatão Symphonic Band, as well as performing on MSC cruises along the Brazilian coast, where his talent and passion for music shone through. Additionally, he’s been an integral member of the Showro Duo with Mano Jotta R specializing in instrumental Brazilian music, captivating audiences with his performances and authentic musical expression.
Ana Fernandez: Vocal (special guest)
Ana Fernandez, a Brazilian singer, songwriter, and actress, was born in Aracaju, Sergipe in Northeast Brazil, and grew up in São Paulo. She is known for being an eclectic singer, influenced by American soul and blues, and also for her trademark contagious energy.
Recognized for presenting a varied repertoire of Brazilian Popular Music, Ana is well known in the Brazilian music scene in New York. Wherever she goes, she leaves her marked presence. Ana was nominated four times for the Brazilian Press Award in the United States, and a finalist for the “Best of Brazil” award in 2022.
In 2005 she released an album titled “Aqui em Nova York” ( Here in New York) and received a lot of attention from the local media; the album was launched at the United Nations headquarters in New York. Ana donated all sales from the CD to the Children’s Cancer Hospital in SP, Brazil. She also performed several times at the United Nations, one of which was at the UN’s 62nd birthday party.
She has performed alongside many famous Brazilians, such as Dudu Nobre, Almirzinho Serra, son of the great singer and composer Almir Guineto, Vagninho from the famous group Gamação, band Monobloco, Grupo Sambô and others.
Ana Fernandez is a notable presence in Brazilian Music in New York.
