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Marcus Santos

Musician

Marcus performed "Marinheiro So" during the City of Boston's "Immigrant Heritage Month Virtual Celebration" in June 2020. Learn more about his story:


A contemporary percussionist and educator, Marcus is a native of Bahia, Brazil. He commits his life to the study, teaching, and performance of his hometown's Afro-Brazilian music and heritage. 

Marcus performed with several world renown artists, such as the Gypsy Kings (Spain), Daniela Mercury (Brazil), and the Brand New Heavies (England). He has also performed for the president of Brazil, TEDx, and with the “One World Band” produced by MTV. Marcus also played on the Sony Pictures Oscar-nominated movie, "Rachel's getting Married" with Anne Hathaway. He has been honored with the 2013 KOSA Recognition award, Outstanding Arts Performer Award by the Brazilian Immigrant Center (2008), as well as Outstanding Percussionist Award by Berklee College of Music in 2004.

Marcus currently teaches in the Boston area at New England Conservatory, Middlesex Community College, and Somerville High School. He is the author of the DVD "Modern Approach to Pandeiro", and performed in the music education DVD "Musically Speaking II" by BOSE. Marcus has led workshops on Afro-Brazilian percussion and music for Social Change in festivals, universities, and conventions around the world, such as:

  • Fiesta Del Tambor (Cuba)
  • Carnegie Hall (NYC)
  • PASIC (USA), and
  • Harvard University.

He is currently the artist director of the Grooversity global drumming network project that includes 24 drumming groups from the US, Canada, Germany, Mexico, and France.

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