"I was a beach boy, and I believe I learned my songs from the birds of the Brazilian forest." - Antônio Carlos Jobim
"Mario Bakuna, a man who exudes music."
- The Whitman Review
"Mario Bakuna . . . 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
Sunday, 14th December
Mario Bakuna:
The Music of Antônio Carlos Jobim
Experience an unforgettable evening with renowned Brazilian guitarist/vocalist Mario Bakuna, as he presents a heartfelt tribute to Antônio Carlos Jobim - the visionary behind bossa nova and one of Brazil’s most influential composers.
"I was a beach boy, and I believe I learned my songs from the birds of the Brazilian forest," Jobim once said, and critics generally praised his compositions as being stellar and timeless, often describing his music as lush, romantic, and influential, particularly on albums such as Wave and Stone Flower.
In this intimate performance, Mario offers an authentic and deeply personal perspective on Jobim’s timeless works, inviting the audience on a soul-stirring journey through his iconic repertoire.
Shaped by a lifelong connection to Brazilian music and years of performing across Europe and beyond, Mario approaches both Jobim’s beloved classics and lesser-known gems with sensitivity, elegance, and deep reverence for his legacy.
This concert is a celebration of melody, rhythm, and poetry – an exploration of the beauty and complexity of Jobim's music, delivered by one of its most passionate interpreters.
With more than 25 years' professional experience, Mario is well known for his deep exploration of traditional Brazilian rhythms, samba, jazz, and bossa nova.
Since settling in London, Mario has become a key reference in the UK’s Brazilian jazz scene, performing across Europe and around the world at prestigious venues and festivals.
Mario also dedicates his research and performance to reinterpreting Samba Jazz - a genre that emerged in 1950s Rio de Janeiro, blending the syncopated rhythms of samba with the harmonic sophistication and improvisational style of jazz, and later influenced by the post-bossa nova movement.
His albums Where Rio de Janeiro Meets Bahia and Brazilian Landscapes highlight his ability to fuse traditional roots with a contemporary musical sensibility.