Born in Itapissuma, Pernambuco, and based in São Paulo, Alexandre Rodrigues is a virtuoso pífano player, composer, educator and instrument maker. His music places the pífano at the centre of original composition and improvisation, connecting the Indigenous and Afro-Indigenous musical traditions of northeastern Brazil with contemporary jazz — a language he describes as “Afro-Indigenous jazz”. He has released Pife Urbano (2020) and Kaeté (2025), the latter featuring Shabaka Hutchings, Renato Braz and Grupo Sabuká Kariri-Xocó. The current quartet version of Kaeté moves between spiritual jazz and the pulse of Pernambuco’s Carnival. Alexandre is also the author of the Método do Pífano Brasileiro (Brazilian Pífano Method, 2025).

Banda de Pau e Corda makes Brazilian music rooted in Pernambuco’s cultural traditions, combining flute, Brazilian viola, acoustic guitar, bass, drums and ensemble vocals. Founded in Recife in 1972, it brings together its own songs, poetry and new interpretations. Recent albums include Missão do Cantador (2021) and Entre a Flor e a Cruz (2023), featuring guests such as Lenine, Fagner and Juliana Linhares. Na Estrada – Ao Vivo (2021), recorded with Quinteto Violado, received a Latin Grammy nomination in 2022. The group continues to perform across Brazil and release new recordings.

PC Silva is a singer-songwriter from Pernambuco, Brazil, whose songs have been recorded by Ney Matogrosso, Simone, Ceumar, and Mariana Aydar and Mestrinho. Born in Serra Talhada and based in Recife, he brings the folk poetry of the Pajeú region into conversation with contemporary Brazilian song (MPB). He has released Amor, Saudade e Tempo (2020) and Me Dê Notícias do Universo (2024). A current member of Reverbo, he is touring more than 20 cities in Brazil and Portugal throughout 2026 with a voice-and-guitar show.

Raízes

Raízes brings together Spok’s voice and saxophones with percussion, Brazilian violas and guitars, combining song, folk poetry from Brazil’s Northeast and Afro-Brazilian traditions with rock and manguebeat influences. The repertoire draws on his first solo album, released in 2026 and co-produced with Miguel Mendes, featuring Lenine, Chico César, Zeca Baleiro and Grupo Bongar, among others. His research into his maternal ancestry and his connection to the Tikar people of Cameroon informs the compositions. Live, drums, bass and synthesizer complete the ensemble.

Spok Quinteto

Spok Quinteto presents the Pernambuco saxophonist and composer’s music in a five-piece ensemble with saxophone, guitars, Brazilian violas, bass and drums. Original compositions and classics of frevo, the music of Pernambuco’s Carnival, receive jazz-informed arrangements centred on interaction and improvisation. The repertoire also draws on baião and maracatu. The smaller ensemble brings melodic and rhythmic detail into focus, allowing room for solos and collective music-making.

SpokFrevo Orquestra

Founded in Recife in 2001, SpokFrevo Orquestra is a leading force in the renewal of frevo, the music of Pernambuco’s Carnival. Led by Spok, its 17 musicians perform original compositions and frevo classics through big-band arrangements and improvisation. The orchestra won Best Instrumental Group at Brazil’s Prêmio da Música Brasileira in 2009 and 2014. It performed in the official showcase selection at WOMEX 2009, at the Montreux Jazz Festival, Jazz in Marciac and Jazz at Lincoln Center. Its discography includes Passo de Anjo and Ninho de Vespa.