Biography
Winnipeg, the multicultural capital of Canada is very lucky to have such an amazing artist like Marco Castillo to represent the vast and complex culture of Brazil. Born in the Capital Samba, Rio de Janeiro, he was raised in a musical family and that's evident in his musical knowledge. Latin Samba-Jazz Funk probably best describes Marco's music. Blending the unique traditional rhythms and contemporary sounds of Brazil with lush jazz-voicings and epidemic grooves, Marco has been impressing international audiences around the globe. Castillo made Canada his home in 2006 and Brazil wept – for she had lost one of her beloved musicians. Following in his father’s footsteps, a man who recorded tons of albums (including with Nat King Cole) and toured the world with "Trio Irakitan", Marco’s skills were honed at the feet of the best. Castillo’s extensive musical and rhythmic expertise spans from the gentle, warm musical embrace of the romantic Bossa-Nova, rustic and contagious root rhythms of Baião, and the festive, upbeat, exuberant Samba, to the velvety sounds of Smooth Jazz, and alluring, infectious funky grooves. After graduating with a Bachelor of Arts in Music at "Estácio de Sá University" in Rio de Janeiro in 1994, he instantly began touring South America with Brazil’s hottest bands.
Since moving to Canada, Marco has been giving back as much as he has been given. His musical influence can be seen everywhere among his peers. Whether it’s his work as a solo artist or his collaborations, not the least of which is his full 8 piece "Brazilian Beats" band which always brings a one of a kind show, Marco is the Latin/World Music ‘go to guy’ and is becoming one of the most sought-out artists in North America. His intelligent treatment of all the rich Brazilian styles on his Canadian debut CD, Brazilian Season, ensured that it topped college radio charts for weeks. Castillo’s much appraised Trip to Brazil, a sumptuous samba compilation awarded World Recording of the Year (2012) in Regina as part of the Western Canadian Music Awards, continues to rocket Marco to the top of the World Music scene in Canada. Marco’s new release Zabelê (World Recording of the year Nominee WCMA 2014) brings ten original eclectic songs in a perfect and diverse mix of uplifting Latin-Jazz and delivers a variety of deluxe textures that will surely bring all listeners to their feet.
His vivacious compositions and passion brought Castillo the opportunity to participate in numerous festivals including the glorified Western Canadian Music Awards. Marco Castillo was a finalist for the 2015 Viña del Mar International Music Festival in Chile. Held annually since 1960, this international song contest is one of the most important music festivals in Latin America, and is broadcasted and seen by over 150,000,000 fans. Castillo’s original song "Forró no Canadá" from his recently released CD Zabelê, was one of six finalists in the Folkloric category of the competition. The Viña del Mar festival took place from February 21 to 27, 2015 in Viña del Mar, Chile.