Marcos Assunção - Viola e Batuque (2023)

“Viola e Batuque”. This is the name of the tour that the Mato Grosso do Sul musician Marcos Assunção and the Bahian Marco Lobo, (with the right to a workshop), will be covering 10 cities in the State, starting this Tuesday (15) in the city of Dourados (MS) at Casulo – Culture and Art Space. The project is supported by the Cultural Investment Fund – FIC/MS, the Culture Foundation of MS and the State Government of Mato Grosso do Sul.

This musical encounter stands out for the uniqueness and Brazilianness of its music made with instruments that are symbols of Brazilian culture. To the sound of the viola caipira, 7-string guitar, berimbau, tambourine and other percussive instruments, the musicians refer to the regional sound in the most sophisticated style coming from the influences of classical music to jazz. The work of Marcos Assunção and Marco Lobo resulted in the album “Viola e Batuque” which is already on all platforms and will be released precisely on this tour.

The compositions of the show Viola e Batuque are unprecedented for this work and translate the creativity coming from the inspiration resulting from border cultures to the sound of the viola caipira and from the cultural diversities in contagious rhythms of the people, from polka to chora and from baião to jazz. The two artists make the melodies flow to the present ears and listen to the strings and drums. In addition to the authorial repertoire, the musicians present classics of classical music in works by Johan Sebatian Bach, Ernesto Nazareth and Egberto Gismonti. Also part of the program are arrangements for regional works by Paulo Simões, Geraldo Roca and Almir Sater.

MARCOS ASSUNÇÃO – Composer, guitarist, guitarist, mandolinist and violist, Marcos Assunção is from Campo Grande and started playing at the age of 7 in the School's Marching Band. At the age of 13 he began studying guitar and acoustic guitar. The encounter with the viola capiria was through his grandfather Duarte Assunção, which is why he adopted the last name in his artistic work in homage to him. Jazz, choro, bossa nova, erudite, caipira and regional music are his main influences. He has a degree in music from UFMS and a postgraduate degree in Music Education. He has already shared the stage with renowned musicians such as Gay WIllis (USA), Arthur Maia, Roberto Correia, Ivan Vilela. He received numerous awards such as Projeto Pixinguinha, Funarte (with Gabriel Sater). Last year, he launched a collection dedicated to the country viola from Mato Grosso do Sul: Viola Brasileira – Volumes I, II and III.

MARCO LOBO – Bahian percussionist Marco Lobo is a multi-instrumentalist and self-taught. He started his career in Salvadoe and currently resides in Rio de Janeiro for over 30 years. For many years he was part of the bands of renowned Brazilian Popular Music artists, such as Milton Nascimento, Gilberto Gil, Caetano Veloso, Lenine, Vanessa da Mata, Djavan, Moraes Moreira, among other names. With that baggage, in 2010 he set off on a solo career in Brazil and abroad. He recently joined the Trio with Armandinho Macêdo and Yacoce Simões with the album “Retocando Gil e Caetano”, released by the Biscoito Fino label. Marco Lobo has already released three CDs and a DVD. He gives workshops and workshops, creates and performs musical projects that strengthen Brazilian instrumental music around the world.