Yamandu Costa

The exceptional Brazilian guitarist Yamandu Costa was born in Passo Fundo. He began studying guitar at the age of seven with his father, the guitarist Algacir Costa. He later perfected his guitar playing with the Argentine guitar virtuoso Lúcio Yanel. Until the age of 15, Yamandu was taught only the folk music of southern Brazil, Argentina, and Uruguay. The music of Radamés Gnatalli ultimately inspired him to get in touch with well-known Brazilian musicians such as Baden Powell, Tom Jobim, and Raphael Rabello. At the age of 17, Yamandu made his debut at the Circuito Cultural Banco do Brasil—the starting point of a global career.  

In his concerts, the virtuoso usually performs his own compositions, full of fire and dynamism, combining samba, choro, and tango, which are given an extraordinary richness of sound by his seven-string guitar. Costa's playing is rhythmically stirring and full of lavish melodic variety, which he embellishes with explosive runs. In addition to numerous concerts in South America, Yamandu has toured Europe, the Far East, and the USA, performing with well-known orchestras and conductors. The film "Brasileirinho" (2005) brought Yamandu Costa additional fame. Yamandu has performed with greats such as Bobby McFerrin, Richard Galliano, Baden Powel, Hermeto Pascoal, Richard Galliano, Paulo Moura, and the Assad brothers. His discography includes around twenty CDs.