An unforgettable night unfolds as Mario Bakuna and Rubem Farias unite guitar and bass on one stage, weaving samba, jazz and bossa nova into a vivid musical journey through Brazil’s rhythmic landscapes.
After a very successful season performing at international festivals and prestigious music venues in Europe, North America, Africa and Brazil, Mario Bakuna performs his latest project Brazilian Landscapes at Fulham Pier.
Brazilian Landscapes sees internationally acclaimed Brazilian guitarist and singer Mario Bakuna and his band reimagine works by celebrated by some of the best Brazilian Jazz composers of all time such as Marcos Valle, Claudio Bertrami, Rique Pantoja, Gilberto Gil, Djavan, João Bosco, Arismar do Espírito Santo, as well as the forrozeiros Dominguinhos and Luiz Gonzaga.
Part of the new Global Sounds series at Fulham Pier in collaboration with Telecoteco Productions directed by Mario Bakuna: celebrating musical traditions and artists from around the world.
Line up:
Mario Bakuna on acoustic guitar and vocal
Rubem Farias on bass
Felippe Oliveira on electric guitar
Emilio Martins on drums
This concert is the synthesis of years of inspiration drawn from Bakuna’s travels across Brazil, where he immersed himself in the country’s rhythmic and harmonic diversity. From the arid landscapes of the Northeast - echoed in the driving choruses of Forró, Baião, and Xaxado - to the African heritage expressed in Ijexá, the popularity of Samba, and the refined elegance of Bossa Nova, Mario Bakuna and his musicians celebrate one of the richest musical territories on Earth.
For this presentation, Bakuna is joined by acclaimed Brazilian bassist Rubem Farias, whose collaboration adds a new dimension to the Brazilian Landscapes project. Farias brings a distinct musical journey of his own – shaped by his Bahian roots and years spent navigating the international jazz scene from Stockholm – and his blend of deep Brazilian groove with refined jazz sophistication interweaves naturally with Bakuna’s arrangements. Together they expand the project’s palette, deepening its improvisational reach and enriching the evening with fresh colour and dialogue between two distinctive voices in Brazilian music.
About Mario Bakuna
Mario Bakuna is a Brazilian composer, arranger, singer, and guitarist currently based in London. Over the past few years, he has emerged as a leading figure and a key reference in the UK’s Brazilian jazz scene. Renowned for his deep exploration of traditional Brazilian rhythms, samba, jazz, and bossa nova, Mario captures the spirit of Brazilian swing, blending it with refined jazz colours in both his original compositions and fresh arrangements of works by iconic artists such as Tom Jobim, Dorival Caymmi, Paulo Moura, and João Donato. Mario has built a distinctive international career, enchanting audiences in both intimate jazz clubs and on grand festival stages around the world, reaching audiences of up to 150,000 people. He has collaborated with leading artists including Guinga, Daniel Jobim, Nelson Ayres, and Robertinho Silva, and his albums Where Rio de Janeiro Meets Bahia and Brazilian Landscapes highlight his unique fusion of tradition and contemporary jazz. His captivating live performances seamlessly unite tradition and modern groove, resulting in a sound that is unmistakably his own and resonates with audiences worldwide.
About Rubem Farias
Rubem Farias is a bassist, multi-instrumentalist, composer and producer born in Salvador, Bahia, and now based in Stockholm. Renowned for his virtuosity and creativity as a composer and arranger, he has performed at jazz festivals, clubs, universities and conservatories around the world, and has collaborated with artists including Gilberto Gil, Randy Brecker, Nils Landgren, Mike Stern, Robben Ford and Ed Motta. He is also curator and musical director of Brazilian Day Stockholm, and his most recent album, Black Angel, features original compositions recorded with pianist Filip Ekestubbe and drummer Johan Löfcrantz Ramsay.
Website- https://www.mariobakuna.com
Facebook- https://www.facebook.com/MarioBakunaMusician
Instagram- https://www.instagram.com/mariobakuna
YouTube- https://www.youtube.com/c/mariobakuna
Listen- https://mariobakuna.bandcamp.com
Live at Baku Fest Azerbaijan- https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lOqVP6z5xZQ
Live in London- https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EOTFpgxhm1w
Live in Budapest- https://youtu.be/H05zFGAHmk4
Live in Brussels- https://youtu.be/SJwqldOt9uQ
Live in Kaliningrad- https://youtu.be/L_ONz4xrf4M
Live in Mannheim- https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6yJfwQ0TnvA
Live in Copenhagen- https://youtu.be/82FYN4T-YS0
Mario Bakuna credit in the press
“Mario Bakuna, a sparkling guitarist, 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)
“Mario Bakuna, a man who exudes music. (…) ‘vocals’ doesn’t begin to do him justice: his expressive range and the precision with which he was able to deploy it was truly the band’s fifth instrument. (…) And he did this while playing guitar with precision and finesse. (…) his solos were a further source of amazement, his technique somewhere between finger-picking style and classical. His solo introduction to a Baden Powell number made a hash of any attempt at a definition.” (The Whitman Review, Wakefield Jazz)
Rubem Farias credit in the press
“A Brazilian bassist, the quite sensational Rubem Farias, a virtuoso with dizzying skills.” (World Music Report)
“His playing crackles with an inquisitive energy that can get you thinking and feeling at the same time.” (For Bass Players Only)
Why not join us for some food and drink before, during, or after? You’ll find casual bites and drinks in Riverside Market, from burgers, to Middle-Eastern, tacos to cocktails. And if you’re looking for something more refined, why not book a table at Constance, our seasonal, modern British restaurant by Adam Byatt.
Please note. During the Winter months, the Bishops Park gate to Fulham Pier will be closed from 6.30pm, and Bishop’s Park itself will close at 7pm. Those joining us for events should use the Thames Path pathway from Stevenage Road to access Fulham Pier. Use what3words ‘stars.boat.faster’ to guide you to the pathway.