Mario Bakun & Andre Antunes Present: Where Rio de Janeiro Meets Bahia

Mario Bakuna on acoustic guitar & vocals with Andre Antunes on percussion.

Duo performance in which Mario Bakuna invites Andre Antunes to present the repertoire of the album Where Rio de Janeiro Meets Bahia, recorded in Paris, which brings together the Afro-Brazilian rhythms of the Recôncavo Baiano and the charm and subtlety of Bossa Nova. 

The show is a trip to Rio de Janeiro, cradle of Bossa Nova, and to Bahia, the city that best represents the powerful African influence in Brazilian music. The concert integrates the rhythmic roots of Brazilian music and its sophisticated harmonies in a beautiful duo show that celebrates great Brazilian composers such as Dorival Caymmi and Tom Jobim. Mario and Andre promise to transport the audience to a place where the real and the imaginary are experienced and enhanced by poetry and music.

Mario Bakuna is a Brazilian composer, arranger, vocalist, and guitarist with over 20 years of professional experience, currently based in London, UK. Well known for his deep exploration of traditional Brazilian rhythms, samba, jazz, and bossa nova, Mario focuses on both original compositions and fresh arrangements of works by iconic artists like Tom Jobim, Dorival Caymmi, Paulo Moura, and João Donato. In recent years, he has also dedicated his research and performance to reinterpreting Samba Jazz, a genre that emerged in 1950s Rio de Janeiro through the work of artists like Luiz Eça, Tamba Trio, and Edson Machado. This style blends Brazilianstandards with sophisticated harmonies influenced by the post–bossa nova movement.

Driven by a passion for musical exploration, Mario moved to Europe to deepen his research and expand his artistic horizons. Since settling in London, he has become a prominent figure and a key reference in the UK’s Brazilian jazz scene. He performs widely across Europe and beyond, playing at prestigious venues and
international festivals. His albums Where Rio de Janeiro Meets Bahia and Brazilian Landscapes highlight his ability to fuse traditional roots with a contemporary musical sensibility. With sold-out concerts and critical acclaim, these projects have toured across 20 European countries, as well as Brazil, Canada, Madagascar, Egypt, Kazakhstan, and Azerbaijan—captivating audiences around the world.

Andre Antunes is a Brazilian-Irish drummer, percussionist, producer, and recording artist with over 25 years of professional experience, renowned for his studio mastery and dynamic live performances. Based in Ireland since 2006, he has worked with world-class producers such as Ken Thomas (Sigur Rós, David Bowie, Queen) and Rob Kirwan (Hozier, U2, Depeche Mode), and collaborated with iconic artists including Hozier, Sinéad O’Connor, Amy Winehouse, and Shane MacGowan. A 2021 Arts Council Bursary recipient, André has developed a distinctive cross-cultural voice through his research on North African rhythms and jazz fusion, while also co-producing Miky Piro’s acclaimed album “Exit Pyro,” featuring in John Carney’s upcoming film Power Ballad. As a long-standing member of Republic of Loose, he contributed to award-nominated albums and electrifying performances that cemented their place in Ireland’s music scene. Beyond performance, his career highlights include receiving the Gold Medal of Honorary Patronage from Trinity College Dublin, releasing the Brazilian-Irish fusion album POVO, and joining avant-garde ensemble Leafzang. Andre continues to push boundaries through global rhythm studies, innovative projects, and mentoring the next generation of musicians.

mariobakuna.com