Hamilton de Holanda

“For me he is the best in the world” – Chucho Valdes

Hamilton de Holanda is one of Brazil’s foremost musicians and a world-renowned mandolinist. As a composer, improviser, bandleader, and educator Hamilton`s music transcends genre as his improvisational genius dazzles audiences around the world. 

His first genre was choro, a Brazilian cultural heritage and the cousin of jazz. He co-founded the first Choro School in the world, in Brasilia in 1997. Also, he spearheaded a petition to the National Congress to grant Choro a National Day. As a result, since 2000, April 23 has been celebrated in Brazil as The Official Choro Day. Holanda deserves credit for exposing the first Brazilian popular music to the people. 

Hamilton’s playing and improvising transcend limitations and genres. Today he travels to the different corners of the planet, “bringing his heart to his fingertips.” He joyously performs his own compositions with his signature sound, interacting with other music traditions, ensembles, and instruments. This allows him to be the guest soloist of, for example, Wynton Marsalis and his Jazz at Lincoln Center Orchestra. Moreover, he performs his own compositions with Symphony orchestras from around the world.

He plays rock and pop festivals and the Dave Mathews Band at The Gorge. The Central Park Summer Stage in New York City to The Summer Olympic Games in Rio de Janeiro. Noble museums like The Smithsonian in Washington or the Grand Palais in Paris to the famous Carnival in Rio. He has performed in Australia, Paris, Germany, Amsterdam, Rome, Norway, Los Angeles and other global countries, cities and festivals.

Hamilton has shared the stage or recorded with, Wynton Marsalis, Chick Corea, The Dave Mathews Band, and Snarky Puppy. He’s worked with Paulinho da Costa, Chucho Valdes, Egberto Gismonti, Ivan Lins, Milton Nascimento, Joshua Redman, and Hermeto Pascoal. Also, Gilberto Gil, Richard Galliano, John Paul Jones, Bela Fleck, Stefano Bollani, and many others. 

Recommended for Fans of Béla Fleck, Hermeto Pascoal, Gilberto Gil and Avishai Cohen.

LEARN MORE: https://hamiltondeholanda.com/