Bio

Brazilian recording artist, vocalist, composer, percussionist, guitarist, and musical arranger. Eduardo is: Winner of "Spirit of Liberty"; an award received from Congressman Jim McDermott for an immigrant who has made an outstanding contribution to his adopted country, the U.S.A. while maintaining his ethnic heritage. (2009 – Seattle, WA). Winner of "Outstanding Brazilian Male Singer based in the U.S." for the Brazilian International Press Award 2007 (Florida). Winner of "Tribute for Excellence and Achievements in Advancement of Performing Arts and Education of the Brazilian Music in 2006" - Centro Cultural Hispano Americano and University of Washington. Winner of Aspasia Phoutrides Pulakis Memorial Award 2005 for his significant contributions to the Brazilian community and the community-at-large of the Northwest. Eduardo Mendonça has played, composed, and directed various genres of Brazilian popular music in the US, Canada, Nepal, and Brazil. "Seattle is lucky to have Mendonça in the neighborhood" (The Seattle Times). Paul de Barros

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Last name pronunciation: (menDONsa) Eduardo Mendonça has played, composed, and directed various genres of Brazilian popular music in the US, Canada, Nepal, and Brazil since 1974. A native of Salvador, Bahia, Brazil, Eduardo has shared international stages with legendary Brazilian musicians Geraldo Azevedo, Guilherme Arantes,Alcione, and Jorge Ben Jor. Mendonça was the opening act for renowned musicians such as Richard Bona and Ana Carolina. Eduardo has performed for many notable personalities, including the 14th Dalai Lama, Pope John Paul II, and former South African President Nelson Mandela, and he was featured in the PBS American Masters documentary, Paul Simon: Born at the Right Time. Eduardo brings a wealth of experience to his wide-ranging musical endeavors. A variety of musical fusions represented throughout and between the Americas as evidenced in five CDs: “Steps” (2016), “Brazil and Me” (2009), Dois em 1” (2009), “Brazil in Washington” (2003); and “Show Brazil” (1997), where his talents as a performer (guitar, vocals, and percussion), composer, and arranger shine. A naturalized US citizen, this multi-talented performer who graduated in Arts Education is a much sought-after artist-in-residence and the master class instructor recommended by the Washington State Arts Commission for lectures, workshops, and school assemblies. In addition to providing a pleasurable musical experience, his performances never fail to enlighten and entertain multi-generational audiences about music theory, history, and investigation. In May 2016, Eduardo performed as a guest artist with the jointly sponsored Seattle Symphony-Carnegie Hall project “Link Up: The Orchestra Moves,” exploring the creative process of this passionate composer through melody and motif. Eduardo Mendonça traces his lineage to a royal African family bearing the hereditary title of Mamabeka ("prophet of the royal court"), as documented by the Instituto Geográfico e Histórico da Bahia. Eduardo is Music Director for IBuildBridges Foundation, and Co-Director for Brazil Arts & Education, DBA: Show Brazil!. "Seattle is lucky to have Mendonça in the neighborhood" (The Seattle Times). Paul de Barros

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A huge thank you to you and Eduardo and the rest of Show Brazil! The music was incredible and brought so much life and energy to this event. We hope to work with you again in the future! Library 2024 Best wishes and thank you again, Kristin Brazilian Percussion workshop at University of Washington "Show Brazil was the best program we have had in years!” Dr. Patricia Campbell Donald E. Peterson Professor of Music Ethnomusicology-Education University of Washington. ★★★★★ "I just wanted to let you know how much fun today’s assembly was. The students and I loved it! So many students were involved with it, actually everyone with all of the clapping and shouting and dancing at the end. It was very engaging with wonderful music, bright colors, the dancing, etc. I loved how the performers moved throughout the audience. It was great! My students talked about it on the way back to class and in class for a long time. When a student came in late who had been out all morning, many students said, “You missed it! The best assembly!” We all need more of that kind of active engagement with performers and just pure joy! Thank you for arranging for coming." From a 4th Grade teacher of South Colby Elementary School - Port Orchard, WA ★★★★★ Thanks so much for coming to our school! That was no doubt the Best assembly we have ever had!Please come back to Ferrucci next year so we don't have to have any more boring speakers! Ian Hess-Baxter, Junior High Student.★★★★★ .Dear Eduardo, Wow, what a workshop! You are amazing! The students (most of them teachers) just loved your performance, participatory segments, and words to them. One marching band director said to me that he was convinced that his band could be energized on the field if he could learn and then teach to them ways of sparking of their pieces, Brazilian-style". Ferrucci Jr. High School. Puyallup, WA ★★★★★ “Thank you for all the teaching and energy. I have really enjoyed your enthusiasm and talent. The different instruments you play are amazing! The experience I have had will stay with me for the rest of my life. My favorite instrument was the Agogo bells. Brazil sounds like an awesome place to visit.”Clayton Zimmerman , Sixth grade student. Jim Jamieson, Music Specialist Lewis and Clark Elementary - Richland,WA★★★★★ Dear Eduardo, How wonderful it is to see you again! Thank you so much for your presentation for our Mused 496: The Artist as Citizen course of students. You said so much, and in so little time, that was inspiring and deeply meaningful to the process these students are undergoing in imagining themselves as teaching artists/teaching musicians. We greatly value you for your musical self, and for your radiant spirit”. Chimacum Middle School - Chimacum, WA ★★★★★ “What Eduardo does is he is able to bring joy. He is incredibly charismatic on stage. He can get out there and just make everybody ecstatically happy.” Dr Margaret Willson for the Seattle Times ★★★★★
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