Biography

Mandolinist Hamilton de Holanda was born on March 30, 1976 in the city of Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. He is considered a virtuoso of the instrument, to such an extent that he earned the nickname “Jimmy Hendrix of the mandolin.” He was a child prodigy who started playing the mandolin at the age of 5. About ten years ago, he decided to widen the possibilities of the instrument and added two strings to the regular eight-string mandolin. With the powerful sound and intense speed of his solos and improvisations, Hamilton forges a style that blends elements of choir, samba, bossa, jazz, pop and rock. Having performed at world-renowned jazz festivals, he has also shared the stage with Maria Bethania, Ivan Lins, João Bosco, Seu Jorge, John Paul Jones (Led Zeppelin), Richard Galliano, Richard Bona, Bela Fleck and the Flecktones as well as with Buena Vista Social Club’s musicians. He played at the opening of the Year of Brazil in France and at the opening ceremonies of the Para-Pan-American Games and the 100th Anniversary of Japanese Immigration in Brazil. He has been invited to perform for different presidents and foreign officials at diverse formal occasions. In 2001, he unanimously won the Icatu Hartford de Artés award for best instrumentalist in two categories: academic and popular musician. The cash prize received enabled him to live in Paris for more than a year, during which he became involved with artists from the European and French music scene. 1 byte 10 cuerdas is the first recording with his 10-string mandolin. His latest album, Brasilianos Dos, 2008, is the follow-up to a cultural manifesto made by young Brazilian virtuosos to promote the access of the general public to the contemporary music of their country. His discography also includes special collaborations with artists of the stature of Djavan, Richard Galliano, Cesaria Evora, Beth Carvalho, Zélia Duncan, Dona Ivone Lara, Ivan Lins, João Bosco, among many others. Hamilton is a virtuosic yet sensitive musician. Because of his great versatility, he can perform in every configuration, whether solo, with an orchestra, duo, power trio, quintet or in rather unconventional line-ups. He currently performs with his group Hamilton de Holanda Quinteto, completed by Daniel Santiago (guitar), André Vasconcellos (bass), Gabriel Grossi (harmonica) and Marcio Bahia (drums).