The Brazilian Guitar of Mario Bakuna - Live at Hampstead Jazz club

About the show

The Brazilian Guitar of Mario Bakuna

A poetic celebration of Brazil’s musical heritage through guitar, voice, and rhythm — from bossa nova to samba jazz.

Mario Bakuna on acoustic guitar and vocals

In this intimate solo concert for acoustic guitar and voice, Mario Bakuna invites the audience into the heart of the Brazilian guitar tradition — a language shaped by rhythm, subtlety, and deep emotional resonance. Drawing inspiration from masters such as João Gilberto and Baden Powell, Bakuna explores the unique role of the guitar in Brazilian music: at once harmonic, rhythmic, and profoundly expressive. João Gilberto’s plucked-chord bossa nova style, with its delicate syncopation and understated elegance, meets Baden Powell’s virtuosic fusion of samba, Afro-Brazilian rhythms, and jazz sophistication, creating a rich tapestry of influences that have shaped Bakuna’s musical identity.

Blending original compositions with fresh, personal arrangements of gems from bossa nova, Brazilian jazz, and samba jazz, The Brazilian Guitar of Mario Bakuna explores the balance between tradition and innovation. With expressive vocals and his signature acoustic guitar, Bakuna reimagines classic repertoire and presents new works infused with warmth, refined swing, nuanced phrasing, an unmistakable sense of groove, and a modern sensibility.