Mario Bakuna
Mario Bakuna
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Oct. 18, 2025
Oct. 18, 2025
Brazilian Landscapes - Mario Bakuna Band - Live at Jazzcafe Dizzy
Mario Bakuna is a Brazilian musician currently based in London. Over the past few years, he has emerged as a leading figure in the Brazilian jazz music scene in the UK. Mario and his band have performed to great acclaim across the UK, Europe, and beyond, from Canada to Madagascar, Kazakhstan to Azerbaijan. Following the release of his first album ‘Where Rio de Janeiro Meets Bahia’, Mario’s most recent release, ‘Brazilian Landscapes’ features new arrangements of material by great composers such as Marcos Valle, Claudio Bertrami, Rique Pantoja, Gilberto Gil, Djavan, João Bosco, Arismar do Espirito Santo, and the ‘forrozeiros’ Dominguinhos and Luiz Gonzaga. Brazilian Landscapes is a tribute to the culture and memory of Brazilian people. It comes from years of inspiration from Mario’s travels throughout Brazil, experiencing its rhythmic and harmonic richness. From the arid landscape of the northeast, reflected in the chorus of songs of Forró, Baião and Xaxado, to the African influence found in Ijexá, the popularity of Samba and the sophistication of Bossa Nova, Mario Bakuna and his musicians celebrate the most musically rich territory on Earth. “A sparkling guitarist who plays with palpable feeling – his virtuosic fluency on the fretboard is controlled and flourishes are perfectly placed. His voice has a texture like heavy cloth” ~ Songlines Magazine Lineup Mario Bakuna on acoustic guitar and vocals Jeroen Vierdag on bass Tuur Moens on drums Steve Brezet on percussion
Rotterdam, Netherlands
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.
West District, Taiwan
Nov. 21, 2025
Nov. 21, 2025
Mario Bakuna Trio - Brazilian Evening at The Wharf Teddington
Mario Bakuna is a Brazilian musician currently based in London. Over the past few years, he has emerged as a leading figure in the Brazilian jazz music scene in the UK. Mario and his band have performed to great acclaim across the UK, Europe, and beyond, from Canada to Madagascar, Kazakhstan to Azerbaijan. Following the release of his first album ‘Where Rio de Janeiro Meets Bahia’, Mario’s most recent release, ‘Brazilian Landscapes’ features new arrangements of material by great composers such as Marcos Valle, Claudio Bertrami, Rique Pantoja, Gilberto Gil, Djavan, João Bosco, Arismar do Espirito Santo, and the ‘forrozeiros’ Dominguinhos and Luiz Gonzaga. Brazilian Landscapes is a tribute to the culture and memory of Brazilian people. It comes from years of inspiration from Mario’s travels throughout Brazil, experiencing its rhythmic and harmonic richness. From the arid landscape of the northeast, reflected in the chorus of songs of Forró, Baião and Xaxado, to the African influence found in Ijexá, the popularity of Samba and the sophistication of Bossa Nova, Mario Bakuna and his musicians celebrate the most musically rich territory on Earth. “A sparkling guitarist who plays with palpable feeling – his virtuosic fluency on the fretboard is controlled and flourishes are perfectly placed. His voice has a texture like heavy cloth” ~ Songlines Magazine
Teddington, United Kingdom
Nov. 23, 2025
Nov. 23, 2025
Brazilian Landscapes - Mario Bakuna Trio - Live at Jazztrain
Mario Bakuna is a Brazilian musician currently based in London. Over the past few years, he has emerged as a leading figure in the Brazilian jazz music scene in the UK. Mario and his band have performed to great acclaim across the UK, Europe, and beyond, from Canada to Madagascar, Kazakhstan to Azerbaijan. Following the release of his first album ‘Where Rio de Janeiro Meets Bahia’, Mario’s most recent release, ‘Brazilian Landscapes’ features new arrangements of material by great composers such as Marcos Valle, Claudio Bertrami, Rique Pantoja, Gilberto Gil, Djavan, João Bosco, Arismar do Espirito Santo, and the ‘forrozeiros’ Dominguinhos and Luiz Gonzaga. Brazilian Landscapes is a tribute to the culture and memory of Brazilian people. It comes from years of inspiration from Mario’s travels throughout Brazil, experiencing its rhythmic and harmonic richness. From the arid landscape of the northeast, reflected in the chorus of songs of Forró, Baião and Xaxado, to the African influence found in Ijexá, the popularity of Samba and the sophistication of Bossa Nova, Mario Bakuna and his musicians celebrate the most musically rich territory on Earth. “A sparkling guitarist who plays with palpable feeling – his virtuosic fluency on the fretboard is controlled and flourishes are perfectly placed. His voice has a texture like heavy cloth” ~ Songlines Magazine
London, United Kingdom
Nov. 28, 2025
Nov. 28, 2025
Mario Bakuna & Band - Brazilian Landscapes - Live at Yardbird Suit
Since moving to London Mario Bakuna became one the most prominent names and a reference of Brazilian Music in England, and he’s currently one of the most acclaimed and prestigious Brazilian musicians living in Europe. He’s been performing alongside the best musicians in the best music venues in the UK and abroad, and his previous album show – recorded in Paris alongside the renowned Brazilian percussionist Edmundo Carneiro – travelled to pretty much most countries in Europe, not to mention Brazil and Africa, with sold-out nights and great feedback. Mario’s latest project as a band is ‘Brazilian Landscapes’. Conceived by Mario Bakuna, ‘Brazilian Landscapes’ features new arrangements of material by great composers such as Emilio Santiago, Marcos Valle, Claudio Bertrami, Rique Pantoja, Gilberto Gil, Djavan, João Bosco, Arismar do Espirito Santo, and the ‘forrozeiros’ Dominguinhos and Luiz Gonzaga. The concert has been a great success and already counts with sold-out nights in London, Paris, Amsterdam, Copenhagen, Budapest and Mannheim. ‘Brazilian Landscapes’ is a tribute to the culture and memory of Brazilian people and it’s the result of years of inspiration Mario Bakuna drew upon while travelling through Brazil, experiencing its rhythmic and harmonic richness. From the arid landscape in the northeast that’s brought to the chorus of songs of Forró, Baião and Xaxado, to the African influence found in Ijexá, the popularity of Samba and the sophistication of Bossa Nova, Mario and his musicians celebrate the most musically rich territory on Earth. Band members Mario Bakuna, acoustic guitar and vocals Paul Johnston, bass Jeffrey Faffard, drums
Edmonton, AB
Nov. 29, 2025
Nov. 29, 2025
Mario Bakuna & Band - Brazilian Landscapes - Live at The Jazz Room
“Mario Bakuna, a sparkling guitarist, plays with palpable feeling – his virtuosic fluency on the fretboard is controlled and flourishes are perfectly placed. His voice has a texture like heavy cloth” – Songlines Magazine Mario Bakuna is a London-based Brazilian composer, arranger, singer and guitar player, with twenty years of professional experience. A graduate of the Free University of Music in Sao Paulo, Brazil, he studied with musicians such as Olmir Stocker, Roberto Sion and Roberto Bomilcar (the pianist who played with Frank Sinatra during his visit to Brazil). In Brazil, Mario Bakuna has played alongside the trombonist Itacir Bocato, guitarist Renato Consorte, and pianist Nelson Aires, to name a few. Mario Bakuna’s study focuses on the development of a music repertoire inspired by the greats of Afro-Brazilian Music, Samba, Jazz and Bossa Nova. In addition to developing new arrangements of music by enshrined Brazilian artists as Tom Jobim, Dorival Caymmi, Paulo Moura, and João Donato, in recent years he has been working on reinterpretations of Samba Jazz: a musical genre that emerged in Rio de Janeiro in the 1950s and was led by musicians like Luiz Eça, Tamba Trio, and Edson Machado. Their repertoire was based on Brazilian Standards with more sophisticated harmonies inspired by the Post-Bossa Nova movement. Mario widely performs in Europe at distinguished venues and festivals alongside artists such as Jean Toussaint, Liam Noble, Ricardo dos Santos, Edmundo Carneiro, Cacau Queiroz, Alain Jean Marie, Dudu Penz, and Filó Machado. The concerts of his albums ‘Where Rio de Janeiro Meets Bahia’ and ‘Brazilian Landscapes’ toured 18 European countries, Brazil, Madagascar, and Azerbaijan, with sold-out concerts and great acclaim. Personnel: Mario Bakuna-guitar Mark Kelso-drums Roberto Occhipitni-bass Juan Carlos Medrano-percussion
Waterloo, ON
Nov. 30, 2025
Nov. 30, 2025
Mario Bakuna & Band - Brazilian Landscapes - Live at The Rex
“Mario Bakuna, a sparkling guitarist, plays with palpable feeling – his virtuosic fluency on the fretboard is controlled and flourishes are perfectly placed. His voice has a texture like heavy cloth” – Songlines Magazine Mario Bakuna is a London-based Brazilian composer, arranger, singer and guitar player, with twenty years of professional experience. A graduate of the Free University of Music in Sao Paulo, Brazil, he studied with musicians such as Olmir Stocker, Roberto Sion and Roberto Bomilcar (the pianist who played with Frank Sinatra during his visit to Brazil). In Brazil, Mario Bakuna has played alongside the trombonist Itacir Bocato, guitarist Renato Consorte, and pianist Nelson Aires, to name a few. Mario Bakuna’s study focuses on the development of a music repertoire inspired by the greats of Afro-Brazilian Music, Samba, Jazz and Bossa Nova. In addition to developing new arrangements of music by enshrined Brazilian artists as Tom Jobim, Dorival Caymmi, Paulo Moura, and João Donato, in recent years he has been working on reinterpretations of Samba Jazz: a musical genre that emerged in Rio de Janeiro in the 1950s and was led by musicians like Luiz Eça, Tamba Trio, and Edson Machado. Their repertoire was based on Brazilian Standards with more sophisticated harmonies inspired by the Post-Bossa Nova movement. Mario widely performs in Europe at distinguished venues and festivals alongside artists such as Jean Toussaint, Liam Noble, Ricardo dos Santos, Edmundo Carneiro, Cacau Queiroz, Alain Jean Marie, Dudu Penz, and Filó Machado. The concerts of his albums ‘Where Rio de Janeiro Meets Bahia’ and ‘Brazilian Landscapes’ toured 18 European countries, Brazil, Madagascar, and Azerbaijan, with sold-out concerts and great acclaim. Personnel: Mario Bakuna-guitar Mark Kelso-drums Roberto Occhipitni-bass Juan Carlos Medrano-percussion
Toronto, ON
Dec. 1, 2025
Dec. 1, 2025
Mario Bakuna & Band - Brazilian Landscapes - Live at The Rex
“Mario Bakuna, a sparkling guitarist, plays with palpable feeling – his virtuosic fluency on the fretboard is controlled and flourishes are perfectly placed. His voice has a texture like heavy cloth” – Songlines Magazine Mario Bakuna is a London-based Brazilian composer, arranger, singer and guitar player, with twenty years of professional experience. A graduate of the Free University of Music in Sao Paulo, Brazil, he studied with musicians such as Olmir Stocker, Roberto Sion and Roberto Bomilcar (the pianist who played with Frank Sinatra during his visit to Brazil). In Brazil, Mario Bakuna has played alongside the trombonist Itacir Bocato, guitarist Renato Consorte, and pianist Nelson Aires, to name a few. Mario Bakuna’s study focuses on the development of a music repertoire inspired by the greats of Afro-Brazilian Music, Samba, Jazz and Bossa Nova. In addition to developing new arrangements of music by enshrined Brazilian artists as Tom Jobim, Dorival Caymmi, Paulo Moura, and João Donato, in recent years he has been working on reinterpretations of Samba Jazz: a musical genre that emerged in Rio de Janeiro in the 1950s and was led by musicians like Luiz Eça, Tamba Trio, and Edson Machado. Their repertoire was based on Brazilian Standards with more sophisticated harmonies inspired by the Post-Bossa Nova movement. Mario widely performs in Europe at distinguished venues and festivals alongside artists such as Jean Toussaint, Liam Noble, Ricardo dos Santos, Edmundo Carneiro, Cacau Queiroz, Alain Jean Marie, Dudu Penz, and Filó Machado. The concerts of his albums ‘Where Rio de Janeiro Meets Bahia’ and ‘Brazilian Landscapes’ toured 18 European countries, Brazil, Madagascar, and Azerbaijan, with sold-out concerts and great acclaim. Personnel: Mario Bakuna-guitar Mark Kelso-drums Roberto Occhipitni-bass Juan Carlos Medrano-percussion
Toronto, ON
Jan. 9, 2026
Jan. 9, 2026
Mario Bakuna Trio: Brazilian Landscapes - Live at Arthur's Blues & Jazz
Lineup: Mario Bakuna on acoustic guitar and vocals Vitor Moreno on bass Andre Antunes on drums Mario Bakuna is a Brazilian musician currently based in London. Over the past few years, he has emerged as a leading figure in the Brazilian jazz music scene in the UK. Mario and his band have performed to great acclaim across the UK, Europe, and beyond, from Canada to Madagascar, Kazakhstan to Azerbaijan. Following the release of his first album ‘Where Rio de Janeiro Meets Bahia’, Mario’s most recent release, ‘Brazilian Landscapes’ features new arrangements of material by great composers such as Marcos Valle, Claudio Bertrami, Rique Pantoja, Gilberto Gil, Djavan, João Bosco, Arismar do Espirito Santo, and the ‘forrozeiros’ Dominguinhos and Luiz Gonzaga. Brazilian Landscapes is a tribute to the culture and memory of Brazilian people. It comes from years of inspiration from Mario’s travels throughout Brazil, experiencing its rhythmic and harmonic richness. From the arid landscape of the northeast, reflected in the chorus of songs of Forró, Baião and Xaxado, to the African influence found in Ijexá, the popularity of Samba and the sophistication of Bossa Nova, Mario Bakuna and his musicians celebrate the most musically rich territory on Earth. “A sparkling guitarist who plays with palpable feeling – his virtuosic fluency on the fretboard is controlled and flourishes are perfectly placed. His voice has a texture like heavy cloth” ~ Songlines Magazine
Dublin, Ireland
Jan. 24, 2026
Jan. 24, 2026
Mario Bakuna Trio - Brazilian Landscapes - Live at Ropetackle Arts Centre
After a very successful season performing at international festivals and prestigious music venues worldwide, Mario Bakuna brings to Ropetackle Arts Centre his latest project 'Brazilian Landscapes’. Mario Bakuna is a Brazilian artist currently based in London, UK. Over the past few years, he has emerged as a leading figure and a reference in the Brazilian Jazz Music scene in England. Bakuna and his band have extensively performed in Europe and beyond, playing at distinguished venues and festivals across 18 European countries, Canada, Brazil, Egypt, Madagascar, Kazakhstan and Azerbaijan, with sold-out concerts and great acclaim. Following his first album ‘Where Rio de Janeiro Meets Bahia’, Mario’s most recent project is 'Brazilian Landscapes' which features new arrangements of material by great composers such as Marcos Valle, Claudio Bertrami, Rique Pantoja, Gilberto Gil, Djavan, João Bosco, Arismar do Espirito Santo, and the 'forrozeiros' Dominguinhos and Luiz Gonzaga. The album is a tribute to the culture and memory of Brazilian people and it's the result of years of inspiration Mario Bakuna drew upon while travelling through Brazil, experiencing its rhythmic and harmonic richness. From the arid landscape of the northeast, which is reflected in the chorus of songs of Forró, Baião and Xaxado, to the African influence found in Ijexá, the popularity of Samba and the sophistication of Bossa Nova, Mario Bakuna and his musicians celebrate the most musically rich territory on Earth. Line-up: Mario Bakuna on acoustic guitar and vocals Fernando Demarco on bass Uccio Gaeta on drums
Shoreham-by-sea, United Kingdom
Feb. 21, 2026
Feb. 21, 2026
Brazilian Landscapes - Mario Bakuna Quartet - Live at Sguetto Club
Mario Bakuna is a Brazilian musician currently based in London. Over the past few years, he has emerged as a leading figure in the Brazilian jazz music scene in the UK. Mario and his band have performed to great acclaim across the UK, Europe, and beyond, from Canada to Madagascar, Kazakhstan to Azerbaijan. Following the release of his first album ‘Where Rio de Janeiro Meets Bahia’, Mario’s most recent release, ‘Brazilian Landscapes’ features new arrangements of material by great composers such as Marcos Valle, Claudio Bertrami, Rique Pantoja, Gilberto Gil, Djavan, João Bosco, Arismar do Espirito Santo, and the ‘forrozeiros’ Dominguinhos and Luiz Gonzaga. Brazilian Landscapes is a tribute to the culture and memory of Brazilian people. It comes from years of inspiration from Mario’s travels throughout Brazil, experiencing its rhythmic and harmonic richness. From the arid landscape of the northeast, reflected in the chorus of songs of Forró, Baião and Xaxado, to the African influence found in Ijexá, the popularity of Samba and the sophistication of Bossa Nova, Mario Bakuna and his musicians celebrate the most musically rich territory on Earth. “A sparkling guitarist who plays with palpable feeling – his virtuosic fluency on the fretboard is controlled and flourishes are perfectly placed. His voice has a texture like heavy cloth” ~ Songlines Magazine
Bologna, Italy
Feb. 26, 2026
Feb. 26, 2026
Brazilian Landscapes - Mario Bakuna Band - Live at Epsom Jazz Club
Mario Bakuna is a Brazilian musician currently based in London. Over the past few years, he has emerged as a leading figure in the Brazilian jazz music scene in the UK. Mario and his band have performed to great acclaim across the UK, Europe, and beyond, from Canada to Madagascar, Kazakhstan to Azerbaijan. Following the release of his first album ‘Where Rio de Janeiro Meets Bahia’, Mario’s most recent release, ‘Brazilian Landscapes’ features new arrangements of material by great composers such as Marcos Valle, Claudio Bertrami, Rique Pantoja, Gilberto Gil, Djavan, João Bosco, Arismar do Espirito Santo, and the ‘forrozeiros’ Dominguinhos and Luiz Gonzaga. Brazilian Landscapes is a tribute to the culture and memory of Brazilian people. It comes from years of inspiration from Mario’s travels throughout Brazil, experiencing its rhythmic and harmonic richness. From the arid landscape of the northeast, reflected in the chorus of songs of Forró, Baião and Xaxado, to the African influence found in Ijexá, the popularity of Samba and the sophistication of Bossa Nova, Mario Bakuna and his musicians celebrate the most musically rich territory on Earth. “A sparkling guitarist who plays with palpable feeling – his virtuosic fluency on the fretboard is controlled and flourishes are perfectly placed. His voice has a texture like heavy cloth” ~ Songlines Magazine
Epsom, United Kingdom
Mar. 21, 2026
Mar. 21, 2026
Brazilian Landscapes - Mario Bakuna Quartet - Live at Jazzclub Augsburg
Mario Bakuna is a Brazilian musician currently based in London. Over the past few years, he has emerged as a leading figure in the Brazilian jazz music scene in the UK. Mario and his band have performed to great acclaim across the UK, Europe, and beyond, from Canada to Madagascar, Kazakhstan to Azerbaijan. Following the release of his first album ‘Where Rio de Janeiro Meets Bahia’, Mario’s most recent release, ‘Brazilian Landscapes’ features new arrangements of material by great composers such as Marcos Valle, Claudio Bertrami, Rique Pantoja, Gilberto Gil, Djavan, João Bosco, Arismar do Espirito Santo, and the ‘forrozeiros’ Dominguinhos and Luiz Gonzaga. Brazilian Landscapes is a tribute to the culture and memory of Brazilian people. It comes from years of inspiration from Mario’s travels throughout Brazil, experiencing its rhythmic and harmonic richness. From the arid landscape of the northeast, reflected in the chorus of songs of Forró, Baião and Xaxado, to the African influence found in Ijexá, the popularity of Samba and the sophistication of Bossa Nova, Mario Bakuna and his musicians celebrate the most musically rich territory on Earth. “A sparkling guitarist who plays with palpable feeling – his virtuosic fluency on the fretboard is controlled and flourishes are perfectly placed. His voice has a texture like heavy cloth” ~ Songlines Magazine
Augsburg, Germany
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