Today we’d like to introduce you to Guilherme Lucas
Hi GUILHERME, we’d love for you to start by introducing yourself.
My name is Guilherme Lucas, my nickname is Bill Lucas, and that´s how most people know me. I´m 64 years old.
I am one of the best-known percussionists of the state of Minas Gerais, Brazil. I started playing at the age of 16. Rhythm has always been my passion! At the age of 18, I did my first recording in an album called “Jequitinhonha”, playing a drum kit. I have played live and recorded with some of the most important and influential artists and groups of Minas Gerais, most of them widely known in Brazil. The list includes:
Lô Borges, Beto Guedes, Samuel Rosa, Skank, Tavinho Moura, Vander Lee, Aline Calixto, Paulinho Pedra Azul, Túlio Mourão, Tavito, Saulo Laranjeira, Célio Balona, Nivaldo Ornelas, Jota Quest, Wilson Sideral, Fernando Ângelo, Juarez Moreira, Maurício Tizumba, Affonsinho, Paula Santoro, among many others.
In the capital city of Belo Horizonte, MG, I played with the great Roberto Menescal, “bossa nova” icon, in the “Minas Tenis Clube”.
I participated in the recording of over 500 albuns, throughtout my career.
I was the producer, musical director, and also composer and arranger in the following CDs:
“Corpo pra que Serve” and “Linguagens”, soundtracks of ONG “Corpo Cidadão” (Corpo Escola de Dança); “O Que se Cala é Grande”, of singer and composer Benjamin Abras. “São João Del Rey, Sagrado e Profano” and “50 Anos de Samba”, compositions of the Samba Schools of São João Del Rey city. I also launched my own CD “Morada”, sountrack of the famous “Corpo Escola de Dança” (one of the best dance companies of Brazil) dance festival.
I was the founder and director of the following groups:
“Bantuquerê”, that released the DVD “Do Terreiro à Escola de Samba”.
“Lombinho com Cachaça”
“Agô” that has toured in Austria in 2022
As a teacher, I ministered many courses and workshops in Brazil and abroad. I conceived and produced the 1º Percussion Festival of Belo Horizonte, along with Cuban master percussionist Eduardo Espasande. I am currently teaching Brazilian rhythms and culture at UGA, in the city of Athens, Georgia.
I have been to Angola, France, Spain, England, Wales, Austria, Italy, India, United States, French Guyana and Martinique, working as a percussionist and teacher.
We all face challenges, but looking back would you describe it as a relatively smooth road?
It´s not easy to make a living as a musician in Brazil, specially in the city where I live, which is Belo Horizonte, one of the biggest in the country. But I was very fortunate to play with wonderful artists, and to be able to travel to many countries. I love travelling and meeting different people and cultures
Alright, so let’s switch gears a bit and talk business. What should we know about your work?
I am a Brazilian percussionist specialized in Afro Brazilian music, rhythms and culture. I´m very proud of the groups I founded, of the records that I produced, and of the artists that I played with. I think what sets me apart from others, is that I am always studying, reading, searching for information, I’m always experimenting and being the most creative as I can. I put many different information in my recordings, since besides Brazilian music, I study African, Afro Cuban and Indian music as well. I study “konnakol”, the Indian rhythmic system
How do you think about luck?
Good luck has played and still plays a significant role in my life and business. But I prefer calling it a deep and loving connection with the universe.
Contact Info:
- Instagram: @guilhermebilllucas / @sambaintimacy
- Facebook: @guilhermebilllucas
- Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/guilhermebilllucas
