Pandeiro & Percussion Master

Marcos Suzano is widely recognized as one of the most creative multi-percussionists in Brazil and as the best “pandeiro” player in the world. He recorded and toured with several top artists in Brazil and abroad like Cesaria Evora, Sting, Gilberto Gil, Marisa Monte, Jorge Ben, Caetano Veloso, Chico Science, Joan Baez, Charles Lloyd...


In 1993, Suzano met Lenine, a very well acclaimed brazilian composer and guitar player, and they developed the project “Olho de Peixe”, which has been pointed out as one of the best CDs of the year by many specialized magazines and newspaper reviews.


In his first solo album, “Sambatown”, Suzano takes two innovative paths. At first, he records “samba” on different styles and new approaches, by strengthening the samba-funk beat and using lower pitch sounds. Secondly, he uses just one “pandeiro” - a traditional hand drum used on many different styles of Brazilian music and basically on samba - as the framework of the rhythm, replacing the traditional drum set.

Suzano’s first solo CD “Sambatown” was awarded “Sharp Prize for Instrumental Music Revelation” (Brazilian Grammy) in 2000.

Also in 2000, his second CD "Flash" (Trama) confirmed the variety of possibilities of inserting electronic elements into his music.

His third solo album “Atarashi” shows even wider musical experiments and the fruit of his multiple tours and experiences gathered along his numerous tours in japan, where he's recognized and treated as a genuine rock star.


Afro Urban Samba may be a good definition for the music that Suzano plays, highly influenced by urban music (hip-hop, jazz, funk, jungle, electro) and Afro Brazilian music.

en français / in english