Artist Profiles: Dendê

 Angel Romero May 23, 2022  No Comments  Afro-BrazilianBrazilBrazilian musicDendêpercussionworld fusionworld music

Dendê is a Brazilian percussionist, singer, composer, bandleader, teacher, and multi-instrumentalist. He grew up in Salvador de Bahia, Brazil, raised by a single mother in a household that followed the Afro­Brazilian faith. As music and dance are central elements of Candomblé practice, its ceremonies served as the earliest musical sounds experienced by Dendê.

He has been a professional musician since the age of 14, when he appeared in the front line of Timbalada, Carlinhos Brown’s spectacular percussion ensemble. Since 2001, Dendê has been splitting his time between the United States and Bahia, working with his own ensembles.

Dendê’s leading group, Dendê & Band reflects the wide range of musical influences that characterize his music, from roots in traditions like samba de roda and Candomblé to his musical appetite for other world music rhythms like rumba, afrobeat and mbalax.

Dendê & Band have performed at major festivals and venues.

Discography:

Agô (Ropeadope Records, 2022)