Bira Santos, musician, percussionist

Bira Santos is an accomplished percussionist, playing shows both nationally and internationally. His specialty is the instruments of candomblé and samba — atabaque, conga, surdo, and afoxê.

He is also the director and music composer for his band, Afro Mestiço, and organizes and produces shows for a number of artists in the Salvador, Bahia area.

Below is a sample of some of the shows that he has performed in and produced.

Afro Mestiço (Bira’s band)

  • Release party for his CD Afro Eléctico. Center for Culture and Arts, Santo Antônio. August 2014.
  • A night of African music. Bispo Cultural Center, Pelourinho. July 2012.
  • Toca Que Eu Danço e Dança Que Eu Toco. Teatro Gamboa Nova, Rua Gamboa de Cima, 3. April 10, 2010.
  • Pôr do Sol. Rua do Passo, 62, Santo Antônio, Escadaria de Geronimo. June 6, 2008.
  • Festival for Iemanja. Rio Vermelho, Casa da Dinha do Acarajé. Feb 2, 2004.

Other Shows

  • Ilá! Um Canto Ancestral with Emillie Lapa. Teatro SESC-SENAC Pelourinho. Feb 27, 2016.  (view clip)
  • Ilá! Um Canto Ancestral with Emillie Lapa. Teatro Gamboa Nova, Rua Gamboa de Cima, 3. Sept 20, 2015 and Sept 27, 2015.
  • Ritmeloxa with Jochen Eisentraut. Anexo do Teatro XVIII (Casa 14). Sept. 12, 2014.
  • Ayabatala with Marie Eve Clermont. Teatro Gamboa Nova. Aug 8, 2013.  (view clip)
  • Tudo Percussão. Praça Pedro Arcanjo, Pelourinho. August 2011.
  • Presenting Grupo Malinke. Teatro Miguel Santana. Dec 14, 2012.  (view clip)
  • Robin Gorn, Bispo Cultural Center, Salvador. Feb 28, 2009.  (view clip)

Show Production

  • Carnaval: Artistic Association and Cultural Diaspora Musical director for a group of percussionists. February 2014.
  • Federal University of Bahia (UFBA) – Ondina, School of Dance. May – August 2011.
  • Cruise ship reception. Musical director for a series of welcome receptions. July 2011.
  • Na Trilha de Bira“. Teatro Gamboa Nova, Rua Gamboa de Cima, 3. Assistant director. 2008.