FRI 13TH SEPTEMBER 8.00PM (DOORS OPEN 7.00PM)
Tickets: £19 ex fees
The Music Room, Royal Liverpool Philharmonic Hall
HAMILTON de HOLANDA TRIO (Brazil)
Experience the virtuosity of Hamilton de Holanda Trio from Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, as they captivate audiences with their award-winning improvisations and compositions.
Hamilton de Holanda, Salomão Soares & Big Rabello
Virtuoso, brilliant, and unique are just a few of the adjectives used to describe Hamilton de Holanda, a multi-award-winning improviser and composer who inspires audiences worldwide.
Born into a musical family on March 30, 1976, Hamilton’s musical journey began at the age of four with the melodica. By age six, he made his professional debut as a mandolin prodigy on national TV, captivating an audience of over 50 million. As an improviser, composer, bandleader, and educator, his music is rooted in three pillars: family encouragement, a college degree in composition, and jam sessions in Brasília, where he grew up. His improvisational genius transcends genres, captivating global audiences.
In 2000, Hamilton reinvented the traditional 8-string Brazilian bandolim (mandolin) by adding two extra strings tuned to low C, liberating the instrument from its traditional influences and genres. This innovation inspired a new generation to take up the 10-string mandolin. His first genre was Choro, a Brazilian cultural heritage akin to jazz. In 1997, he co-founded the world’s first Choro school in Brasília and led the successful petition to establish April 23 as National Choro Day, officially proclaimed by the Brazilian president in 2000.
Hamilton’s performances span continents and genres, from Jazz at Lincoln Center to symphony orchestras, museums, and rock/pop festivals worldwide. His social media presence is impressive, boasting over 950,000 monthly listeners on Spotify, 220,000 followers on Facebook, 203,000 on Instagram, and 100,000 on YouTube. A star in Brazil, he has won numerous awards globally, including several Latin Grammys. Committed to social causes, Hamilton promotes benefit concerts for Brazil’s major tragedies and supports social projects like ABRACE and TUCCA, which provide free assistance to children with cancer.
His extensive discography showcases his exploration of beauty and spontaneity, collaborating with renowned musicians across various genres. Notable collaborators include Wynton Marsalis, Chick Corea, Dave Matthews, Coldplay, Gonzalo Rubalcaba, Chucho Valdés, Djavan, Milton Nascimento, Hermeto Pascoal, and Egberto Gismonti. Hamilton’s musical exploration knows no bounds, transcending labels in search of beauty and spontaneity.
Hamilton de Holanda, with his innovative 10-string mandolin, is joined by an ensemble of exceptional musicians who elevate his sound to new heights. The groovy and valiant drummer Thiago ‘Big’ Rabello adds dynamic energy and intricate rhythms to the group’s performances, pushing the boundaries of traditional percussion with his inventive beats. Rabello’s drumming is known for its precision and passion, providing a powerful backbone that complements Hamilton’s mandolin. Salomão Soares, on keyboards, brings a rich palette of rhythmic and creative textures to the ensemble. His skillful playing explores new timbres and sounds, adding layers of complexity and harmony to the music. Soares’s ability to blend traditional and contemporary influences results in a unique soundscape that is both innovative and deeply rooted in musical heritage. Together, Hamilton, Rabello, and Soares form a group that is constantly exploring new paths. Their collaboration provokes each member to push their artistic boundaries, resulting in a fusion of styles and genres that captivates audiences worldwide. This synergy between Hamilton’s pioneering mandolin, Rabello’s dynamic drumming, and Soares’s inventive keyboard work creates a musical experience that is both groundbreaking and timeless.