One of the talented and leading Brazilian guitarists, Yamandu Costa, will perform at this year’s Harare International Festival of the Arts at 7 Arts Theatre on Thursday May 3. Brazil is known the world over for its diverse culture and electrifying musical genres.

The show presents an opportunity for Zimbabweans to sample the music through a live performance from a truly gifted major international Brazilian artiste.

Popular genres from the country include samba, tango and the fast-paced choro.

A composer and guitar player, Costa’s music is as unique as his technique.

His original compositions cut across genres to weave a new Brazilian music that has a modern feel, but still strongly anchored in tradition.

Costa combines classical guitar with jazz and elements from Latin America to create a lasting impression with multi-textured sounds.

Aged 30, Costa has already mastered the complexities of his art and instrument of choice, the Brazilian seven-string guitar to be named a true virtuoso.

His performances take audiences across the world through different moods, from reflective and sometimes; through to joy and celebration that is characteristic of his heritage.

Costa will perform one show only at Hifa courtesy of the Brazilian Embassy in Harare.

“Brazil is well known for its culture and we are happy to introduce it to Zimbabwe by bringing a major artist to Hifa, one of the most important festivals in Africa,” said Fillipe Mallet, the deputy head of mission at the Brazilian Embassy.

“We hope to bring more artistes in the future in order to establish stronger cultural links between Zimbabwe and Brazil,” he said

Costa began his guitar studies with his father Algacir Costa at age seven and he perfected his technique with Lúcio Yanel, an Argentine virtuoso who lived in Brazil at the time.

As a recording artiste Costa has nine albums and has worked on a number of high-profile projects with some of the world’s finest musicians. He has performed solo and with orchestras across the world at concerts and festivals in countries including the UK, France, USA, Australia, South Korea, Portugal and Spain.