MARKU RIBAS

“A master… one of the true architects of Brazilian music”:

that’s how the new generation of Brazilian musicians talk about the great musician and songwriter Marku Ribas.

His multiple, rich and layered music is the result of mixing Brazilian rhythms like afro-Brazilian beats with elements from the Caribean, jazz, and other styles.

Marku has authored many solo albums and has participated in countless works by other artists.

Marku Ribas is also an actor, having appeared in six feature films (2 in France , with Robert Bresson and Jean-Marc Tribeau and 4 in Brazil). In Brazil he works often with very accomplished film makers, such as Laís Bodansky. He has been featured in two documentaries and many concerts around the world.

Recently Marku has been developing partnerships with the greatest names of the new generation in Braziilian music, such as Ed Motta, Barbatuques, BiD, Max de Castro, Marcelo D2 amongst others.

One of his best-known songs - “Zamba Ben” - has become a cult song throughout Brazil as a sort of “samba-rock anthem”. Zamba Ben has been sampled by djs and covered by many bands.

Marku recorded with legendary musicians such as João Donato, Wilson das Neves, Romero Lubambo, Arthur Maia , Sebastião Tapajós, Luizão Maia and Sivuca, just to mention some of them.

With Mick Jagger he participated in the video clip of the song “Just another night” (Rio de Janeiro, 1984). He collaborated with the Rolling Stones, on the album “Dirty Work” (Paris, 1985, in the track “Back to Zero”.

He opened for James Brown in Barbados (1974), opened to Ron Carter in Martinica (1971) and was the only Brazilian musician to perform in the celebrations for the independence of Namibia (Africa), in 1990.

The Brazilian star Ed Motta, is a die-hard fan of Marku Ribas and has released the compilation “Zamba Ben” entirely made of Marku’s compositions.

In 2008 Marku released his live recorded DVD “Ao vivo no itaú Cultural”, em São Paulo and toured extensively since then.

Marku’s album "Croas e Loas", of brand new songs, is currently being mastered. The album has some special guests and will be available by the time Marku plays in New Zealand with his band.

www.myspace.com/markuribas