EMILIANO BENEVIDES

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emiliano @ emiliano.com

Emiliano has a lot to share with percussion, music and performing arts enthusiasts. Possessing a boundless energy and drive, Emiliano seems to be both electric and heat infused. This Brazilian multi -percussionist has performed extensively in Europe, Asia, North and South America with many artists including: Velha Guarda da Mangueira, Margareth Menezes, George Whitsell (Neil Young &Crazy Horse), Brazilian Legend Emilinha Borba, Alessandra Belloni, Josimar Monteiro, Mutaytor, Brazil Beat Sound System, Orixa, Carlos Oliveira Quintet, Mary Ellen Donald, Jacqui Naylor, Irene Shams and Alexa Weber Morales among many others. He has also shared stages around the world with names like Jimmy Cliff, Oscar D'Leon, Dave Brubeck, Boz Scaggs, Kinky and Brazilian Mega stars Titãs, Daniela Mercury and O Rappa. He has performed with the Estação Primeira de Mangueira, União da Ilha do Governador and Estácio de Sá Samba Schools during Carnival in Rio de Janeiro.

Born in Goiania, Brazil, Emiliano began performing in his hometown at an early age with various theatre and music groups. He eventually moved to São Paulo to grow as an artist and musician, working with the performing troupe Marombar, performing with them in Brazil, Belgium and Spain. While in Spain, he also performed with other Brazilian groups as a dancer and a musician. In 1995 Emiliano moved to USA and has played percussion in multiple music events such as the Russian River Jazz Festival, the San Francisco Symphony, Exotic Erotic Ball, Monterey Jazz Festival and the San Francisco Carnival Ball.

San Francisco Chronicle profile 2005

In July 2000 he performed on the soundtrack of the documentary "Oscar Niemeyer, un Architecte Engagé Dans le Siécle" in Belgium. It was produced in France (TV Channel Arte), Belgium and Brazil. He also was part of the first Frame Drum Group CD compilation with one of his compositions. As a composer and arranger he has co-produced 3 CDs with his bands RIPE and BAT MAKUMBA.

In 2005 Emiliano translated and produced the vocals in Portuguese for 6 cartoons produced by Golden Films and broadcast by Cartoon Network Brasil. In 2006 he translated the book ‘Fun with Bongos’ by expert Trevor Salloum into Portuguese for Mel Bay Publications. Also in 2006 he contributed a percussion solo to the Global Internet Collaboration multi-media project by Christopher Hedge and the Magnetic Poets broadcast at the 2006 Winter Olympics in Turin.

Emiliano has appeared in 4 San Francisco Opera productions: Carmen, Harvey Milk, Rigoletto and Salome. He has performed 3 times in the San Francisco Ethnic Dance Festival, the third time directing the music and dance for the group Águas da Bahia with Tânia Santiago (former member of Olodum and Balé Foklórico da Bahia). He has taught classes/workshops/drum circles on Brazilian percussion and dance for adults and children in Europe and the United States. This includes classes taught at Stanford University, CMEA (The California Education for Music Education Association Annual Conference 2004), Lane Community College, California Brazil Summer Camp, and workshops/demonstrations given at several California schools. He is currently working for Young Imaginations, a multi-cultural education organization, teaching children of all ages about Brazilian percussion and culture.

Emiliano has won the SF WEEKLY MUSIC AWARD for Best World Music in the Bay Area and the CALIFORNIA MUSIC AWARD for Outstanding Latin Alternative Album with his band Bat Makumba. He is a member of ASCAP and PAS.

Emiliano currently divides his time between USA and Spain, performing, teaching, composing and writing for multiple projects. He is also pursuing a Masters degree in Music Therapy.

Emiliano is available for classes, workshops and performances.

EMILIANO'S SETUP

His setup starts with a variety of Brazilian instruments of all types & sizes - Surdos, Alfaias, Caracaxas, Repiniques, Cuícas, Pandeiros, Tamborins, Tantãn, Agogos, Timbal, Zabumbas, Triangles, Bacurinha, Shakers, Berimbau, Caxixis & others. The rest of his set includes a pair of Congas, Timbales, Bongos, Clay (Udu) drums, Tambourines, Tablas, Peruvian and Spanish Cajon, Riqq, Doumbec, & different types of PAISTE cymbals & other miscellaneous instruments for special effects & the right color.

Contact: emiliano @ emiliano.com