Mario Bakuna is a Brazilian composer, arranger, vocalist, and guitarist with over 20 years of professional experience, currently based in London, UK. Well known for his deep exploration of traditional Brazilian rhythms, samba, jazz, and bossa nova, Mario focuses on both original compositions and fresh arrangements of works by iconic artists like Tom Jobim, Dorival Caymmi, Paulo Moura, and João Donato. In recent years, he has also dedicated his research and performance to reinterpreting Samba Jazz, a genre that emerged in 1950s Rio de Janeiro through the work of artists like Luiz Eça, Tamba Trio, and Edson Machado. This style blends Brazilian standards with sophisticated harmonies influenced by the post–bossa nova movement.
