Brazilian. Urban. Afro. DNA Urbano brings original music and covers to stage like a soundtrack for the African Diaspora in the 21st Century. Inspired by the cultures in the favelas, ghettos, periferias, shanty towns, banlieues, and other centers of Afro-urban culture, DNA Urbano uses English, Portuguese, Haitian Kreole and Yoruba to translate this culture into its lyrics. In a musical dialogue between Brazilian Samba, Nigerian Ijexá, Jamaican Reggae, American Jazz, and Rock, DNA Urbano s music entertains while raising self-esteem and self-awareness. The band was featured in Salvador, Brazil s 2017 Carnaval- the world s largest street carnival- and is currently recording its debut album. DNA Urbano is: Sergio Rocha (guitar/vocals), Genaldo Novaes (vocals), Tonynho dos Santos (trumpet/vocals), Alissa Sanders (vocals), Fernanda Farani (vocals), Marcelo Rocha (bass), Jair Rocha (drums) and Neydson Sapão Nevile (percussion).
MUSICIAN BIOS Sergio Rocha- vocalist, composer, producer, arranger, multiinstrumentalist- studied music and guitar at the Federal University of Bahia (UFBA) and in Frankfurt, Germany under the direction of Holger Wittkowskiat (Orquestra Sinfônica da Bahia). Sergio was lead guitarist and musical director for Brazilian singer Cláudia Leitte, leading her band on national and international tours. He has produced some of Brazil s top artists, bands and international musicians including: Gilberto Gil, Carlinhos Brown, Cidade Negra, Nação Zumbi, Clifton Davis, and Ivete Sangalo, to name a few. With Daniela Mercury, Sergio was an integral member of "Cabeça de Nós Todos", a project in his hometown of Salvador, Brazil, that combined new sounds, poetic melodies and swing in finely tuned arrangements. In addition to DNA Urbano, Sergio is part of the band MANOSPRETO, a musical project with his brothers, who are also members of DNA Urbano. Genaldo Novaes -singer, songwriter, and guitarist- writes lyrics and melodies that blend African and Afro-Brazilian history and culture into DNA Urbano's songs. As the Alagba do Ilê Asipá, one of Bahia s most traditional and well-known Afro-Brazilian spiritual centers, Genaldo s experiences in Brazil s samba culture and Afro- Brazilian religions are the lyrical roots of DNA Urbano's music and seek to preserve the expression and memory of Afro-Brazilian identity. Tonynho dos Santos is a singer, songwriter and trumpet player with DNA Urbano. His international career includes composing, recording and performing with musical groups in Europe and in Brazil. Tonynho has shared stages in Germany, the UK, Turkey and Ireland with Hermeto Pascal, Kila and Brian Hanlon, Raj Padam and the Bangsambra Project, among others. In Brazil, he has played with Quinteto de Metals da Bahia, Requiem Napalm and Banda Auto Reverse Afro Jazz. Tonynho returned to Brazil in 2013 to join DNA URBANO.
Fernanda Farani -brings her honey-coated contralto voice and influences from MPB (Brazilian Popular Music), traditional Northeast Brazilian music to DNA URBANO s songs, as one of DNA Urban s singers and songwriters. Born into a musical family that includes Brazilian singer Gal Costa, Fernanda has performed at Salvador s Festival de Verão and on stages throughout Brazil. She has recorded and performed with Brazilian artists Nando Cordel, Leo Maia (son of Tim Maia), Nelson Rufino, Jorge Aragão, Geraldo Azevedo and has just released a solo album. Alissa Sanders- singer and songwriter from Los Angeles- brings an international flavor to DNA Urbano with the elegance, timbre and roots of Jazz. She has recorded and performed on television, in shows and festivals in the United States, Brazil, and India. Alissa s musical collaborations include singing with Blues and Jazz legends Barbara Morrison and Barry Harris, Marie Afonso (Zap Mama), Laercio de Freitas, Derrick Green (Sepultura), Edgar Poças, and Banda Mantiqueira, among others. Her debut album, Beginning was released in 2012. Marcelo Rocha is a bassist, composer and arranger with extensive experience performing and recording. As a studio musician at WR Studios, with Brazilian producer and music entrepreneur Wesley Rangel, Marcelo recorded CDs, jingles and tracks for Brazilian and international artists such as Caetano Veloso, Cheik Lo (Senegal), Daniela Mercury, Otto, Baby do Brasil, Ney Matogrosso, Karina Burh, Carla Visi, É O Tchan, Chiclete com Banana, Sandra de Sá, Mariene de Castro, and others.
Jair Rocha- drummer and composer has recorded, performed and toured throughout Brazil with Brazilian groups including Carla Visi, Reggae Vibes Collective, Pega no Compasso, Parangolé, Jau, Cabeça de Nós Todos, Mc DaGanja, and others. Jair currently plays in the bands Manospreto, and Verbo e Juizo, in addition to DNA Urbano. Neydson Nevile has been a percussionist since the age of 12, having studied at the Federal University of Bahia, PRACATUM and the Catholic University of Salvador, Bahia. He has recorded and toured with artists from all over Brazil including: Claudia Leitte, Gilmelandia, Marcia Short, Adelmo Casé and Carla Cristina, among others artistas. He currently plays percussion for DNA Urbano. Social Networks: Instagram: Instagram.com/bandadnaurbano Facebook: Facebook.com/dnaurbano SoundCloud: Soundcloud.com/dna-urbano YouTube: Urban DNA Band Contact info: Email: Bandadnaurbano@gmail.com bandadnaurbano@yahoo.com Phone: +55-71-99165-2638 - Sergio Rocha, Musical Director