Marco Castillo

Marco Castillo was born in Rio de Janeiro Capital of Samba in Brazil. The son of artist and talented composer, Tony Cunha, Marco was influenced by an array of musical styles, such as Brazilian Jazz, Bossa Nova, Samba, Classical, American Jazz, Progressive Rock and Fusion. This variety in music was part of the sonorous place that was his family home, through radio, records, and live performances promoted by his father.

The son of artist and talented composer, Tony Cunha, Marco was influenced by an array of musical styles, such as Brazilian Jazz, Bossa Nova, Samba, Classical, American Jazz, Progressive Rock and Fusion. This variety in music was part of the sonorous place that was his family home, through radio, records, and live performances promoted by his father.

A self-taught musician, Marco started playing the guitar when he was 12 years old, living in Guatemala. From then on, music became his passion. In 1976, back in Brazil, he formed his first trio with some friends at age of 13, and started to play the music of Carlos Santana, Jeff Beck, Rush, Chick Corea, Al di Meola, Billy Cobham, Herbie Hancock, Focus, and John McLaughlin. When he was 20, he recorded and toured throughout Brazil with Iraquitan's Trio. He performed with Guio de Morais' Orchestra for nearly two years in the biggest and most popular show in Rio de Janeiro, ?Golden Brazil?. Marco also performed with Therezinha Starteri, Carol Saboia, Claudia (Evita), Rosa Marya Colin, Luis Carlos Batera (Banda Black Rio) and many others. In the 1990's, he attended at the University of ?Est?cio de S??, while continuing to play and record with many artists and groups in more than 50 cities across South America.

Marco Castillo has become an experienced composer and arranger, blending the traditional rhythms and contemporary sounds of Brazil with lush and beautiful jazz voicings. Since August 2006 he has made Winnipeg his home, where he is introducing his flavoured blends of Brazilian jazz. He has been playing and singing as a solo act or in groups with the best musicians in Winnipeg, such as Rodrigo Mun?z (Papa Mambo), Ken Gold, Scott Senior, Steve Kirby, Mira Black, Victor Lopez, Gilles Fournier, Curtis Nowosad, Julian Bradford, Grant Paley, Greg Lowe, Jeff Presslaff, Paul Metacalf, Michelle Gr?goire, John Pittman, Eli Herscowich, John Racaru, Sam Chrol, the WSO, Jay Taylor, John Hudson, Bill Spornitz, S?ss, Todd Talbot, Myron Martens, Amber Epp and others. Marco creates an exotic and sophisticated music that is sure to please all eager ears.

Marco Castillo just released his debut CD on May 8 at the West End Cultural Center, and it was recorded by the CBC. ?Brazilian Season? features fifteen of Winnipeg's finest musicians, performing 10 original tracks. This project is only a small taste of the vast and varied musical culture in Brazil.

Marco Castillo picked up the pace with Brazilian music for his set at the 2008 Winnipeg Jazz Festival. "Brazilian Season" was the number one world music recording on the Earshot Canadian College radio charts for the month of September.