Oct. 25, 2025
Oct. 25, 2025
Taichung Jazz Festival 2025
Brazilian guitarist and singer Mario Bakuna, together with percussion master Midori Onaga , present an intimate duo performance featuring selections from their album Where Rio de Janeiro Meets Bahia. Their music blends African rhythms from the Recôncavo Baiano region with the elegant sway of Bossa Nova, flowing like poetry. Their playing is delicate yet emotionally charged, covering classics by legendary Brazilian composers such as Dorival Caymmi and Tom Jobim. Guided by their sound, the audience is taken on a journey across Rio’s coastline and Bahia’s rhythmic heartbeat, experiencing the vastness and heartfelt passion of South American musical culture. This is more than a performance; it is a sonic journey from whisper to dance, immersing listeners in the poetic rhythms and soulful spirit of Brazil. Mario Bakuna brings his captivating voice, virtuosic acoustic guitar skills, and deep knowledge of Brazilian music to the stage. A London-based Brazilian composer and performer with over 20 years of experience, Mario is celebrated for his exploration of Afro-Brazilian traditions. A graduate of the Free University of Music in São Paulo, he studied under legendary musicians such as Olmir Stocker and Roberto Sion. Mario’s international career has made him a reference for Brazilian music in Europe, His albums, Where Rio de Janeiro Meets Bahia and Brazilian Landscapes, showcase his exceptional talent for merging traditional roots with contemporary artistry. With sold-out concerts and high praise, he has toured 18 European countries, Brazil, Canada, Madagascar, Egypt, Kazakhstan, and Azerbaijan, fascinating audiences worldwide. Midori Onaga, born in Okinawa and shaped by 12 years in Brazil - a musician and producer dedicated to bridging cultures through music. Her career spans collaborations with renowned jazz artists, theatre tours across Europe and Africa, and cultural exchange projects highlighting Brazilian, Indigenous, and Asian traditions. From producing the Deep Brasil series and curating world music festivals in Tokyo to fostering Okinawan–Taiwanese Indigenous collaborations and performing at major events like BEGIN’s Uta no Hi Concert, she has consistently created platforms where music, art, and cultural heritage meet. With support from leading institutions, including Japan’s Agency for Cultural Affairs, Onaga continues to craft innovative projects that celebrate diversity and connect communities worldwide.