Celso Machado

Virtuoso guitarist, percussionist and multi-instrumentalist Celso Machado transports his audiences through the richness and diversity of Brazilian music and beyond. The regional music of Brazil has arisen out of various blends of African, Portuguese and indigenous influences. While Celso's music is rooted in the percussive rhythms, harmonies and spirit of Brazil, it also reflects his incurable fascination with other world music traditions.

He has gained mastery of a vast array of instruments including: the Arab nay, the southern Italian tamburello, Moroccan guembri, and most recently the African kora. These influences blend seamlessly into his own sound, his own unique contribution to the evolution of Brazilian music.

For over 30 years he has performed on concert stages throughout Brazil, Western Europe and Canada, as well as in the United States. He is active as a teacher, composer and recording artist.

The Machado Brothers: There is a saying in Brazil that samba begins with the feet. In Celso's family that soon spread to bodies, mouths, tables, boxes, frying pans and pieces of paper with each brother and their mother imitating an instrument: surdo, bass drum, shakers, and tambourine. Although five of the six Machado brothers now have their own independent careers as professional musicians, they still love to get together to perform. Guitarist, vocalist and multi-instrumentalist Filo, guitarist and vocalist Carlinhos and percussionist Gera have toured with Celso throughout Brazil, Western Europe and Canada. —Courtesy Calabash Music