Luís Bittencourt & Lee Ranaldo - Quick Billy - VIDEODROOM Film Fest Gent 2025
Luís Bittencourt & Lee Ranaldo - Quick Billy
Som e Sentido: A Musical Journey for Freedom is a participatory music and arts project developed during the 2024/2025 academic year with students from EB Manuel António Pina in Vila Nova de Gaia. As part of the national celebrations of the 50th anniversary of the 25th of April Revolution in Portugal, the initiative invited children to reflect on themes such as freedom, environmental awareness, and digital dependency through collaborative creation. The project culminated in a unique concert-manifestation, where the students performed original songs, built their own percussion instruments, and carried placards with their own messages—transforming the stage into a space of sound, protest, and celebration.
The project was conceived and produced by Tatiana Vargas, who brought together a multidisciplinary team of artists including singer-songwriter Sara Yasmine, electronic musician Frankão, and multi-instrumentalist and artistic researcher Luís Bittencourt. Bittencourt played a central role in the artistic direction and mentoring of the children, guiding their exploration of sound, rhythm, and performative expression. His involvement emphasized a commitment to participatory creation and the transformative potential of music as a tool for critical thinking and collective empowerment.
This project is funded by DGArtes, Portugal.
Photography: ©Augusto Lado
On May 21 in Lisbon, percussionist Luís Bittencourt joins the Lisbon Music School Ensemble under the baton of José Eduardo Gomes for the Portuguese premiere of The Space Between Us, a striking percussion concerto by Australian composer Corrina Bonshek.
This powerful new version for large ensemble and solo percussion blends lush, melody-driven textures with evocative improvisations and primal rhythms. Inspired by the vast landscapes of western Queensland, the music captures nature’s transformative force—epic, fragile, fierce, and ever-changing.
Don’t miss this immersive sonic journey.
Luis Bittencourt is going to perform a solo set to celebrate the World Water Day 2025!
Free entrance
On December 7th, Luís Bittencourt will deliver a captivating solo performance to celebrate the 5th anniversary of the Confucius Institute at Porto University. Held at the Auditorium of Pernambuco Institute in Porto, Portugal, this private event promises an intimate experience with limited seating. Bittencourt’s performance will feature his unique blend of percussion, experimental soundscapes, and creative improvisation, offering attendees an immersive journey through contemporary sound art.
Luís Bittencourt will participate in the improvised live soundtrack for TRAMA, an innovative performance at the Space Festival. This event will combine live music, movement and theatre in an exploratory dialogue, creating a unique soundscape that evolves in real-time with the performers on stage.
Each person is a foundation that intersects with the others around them. Each individual story and memory is woven together to form an arch. That arch is the house we build together and the bridge that unites us. On the 20th anniversary of Comédias do Minho and the 50th anniversary of Liberdade, we celebrate the communal construction of this great House.
Show created as part of the 14th FITAVALE - Vale do Minho Amateur Theatre Festival, with live music by the Space Ensemble.
More info here: https://www.spacefestival.pt/programacao/trama
The Sons de Resistência (Sounds of Resistance) Brazilian tour 2024, supported by DGArtes, promises to be an exhilarating sonic journey, weaving together diverse musical traditions and cutting-edge experimentation. In addition, Bittencourt will be premiering some works from his recent solo album, Instrumentalities and Audible Volitions (available here). More info soon.
©Darrin Zammit Lupin
Embark on a musical odyssey with Luís Bittencourt's masterclass at UNESP, São Paulo, Brazil, on August 23rd. Designed for percussion students, musicians, composers, and sound artists, this session delves into contemporary and experimental music. Bittencourt, a distinguished figure in the field, illuminates percussion performance, sound manipulation, improvisation, and electronics integration. Explore composition and artistic research in music under his expert guidance. Join this journey and discover new sonic horizons. More info soon.
©Luís Bittencourt
Embark on a journey into the fusion of artistic expression and academic inquiry with Luís Bittencourt's lecture for post-graduate students from UFMG, BH, Brazil. Explore contemporary and experimental musical practices with a focus on artistic research in music. Bittencourt's guidance illuminates the symbiotic relationship between artistic careers and academic exploration, offering insights into how innovative musical techniques inform scholarly pursuits. Join this dynamic exploration, delving into the evolving role of music in academic discourse. More info soon.
©Luís Bittencourt
Embark on a musical odyssey with Luís Bittencourt's masterclass in Salvador, BA, Brazil, on August 20th. Designed for percussion students, musicians, composers, and sound artists, this session delves into contemporary and experimental music. Bittencourt, a distinguished figure in the field, illuminates percussion performance, sound manipulation, improvisation, and electronics integration. Explore composition and artistic research in music under his expert guidance. Join this journey and discover new sonic horizons. More info soon.
The Sons de Resistência (Sounds of Resistance) Brazilian tour 2024, supported by DGArtes, promises to be an exhilarating sonic journey, weaving together diverse musical traditions and cutting-edge experimentation. In addition, Bittencourt will be premiering some works from his recent solo album, Instrumentalities and Audible Volitions (available here).
The concert will be presented at the Conservatório de Música da UFMG. More info here:
https://www.ufmg.br/conservatorio/paginas/19-08-24%20EspecialReleaseSonsdeResistencia.pdf
©Darrin Zammit Lupin
The Sons de Resistência (Sounds of Resistance) Brazilian tour 2024, supported by DGArtes, promises to be an exhilarating sonic journey, weaving together diverse musical traditions and cutting-edge experimentation. In addition, Bittencourt will be premiering some works from his recent solo album, Instrumentalities and Audible Volitions (available here).
The concert will be presented at Goethe-Institut’s theatre, free entrance. More info here: https://www.goethe.de/ins/br/pt/ver.cfm?event_id=25915331
©Darrin Zammit Lupin
Embark on a musical odyssey with Luís Bittencourt's masterclass in Salvador, BA, Brazil, on August 12th. Designed for percussion students, musicians, composers, and sound artists, this session delves into contemporary and experimental music. Bittencourt, a distinguished figure in the field, illuminates percussion performance, sound manipulation, improvisation, and electronics integration. Explore composition and artistic research in music under his expert guidance. Join this journey and discover new sonic horizons. More info soon.
©Luís Bittencourt
The Sons de Resistência (Sounds of Resistance) Brazilian tour 2024, supported by DGArtes, promises to be an exhilarating sonic journey, weaving together diverse musical traditions and cutting-edge experimentation. In addition, Bittencourt will be premiering some works from his recent solo album, Instrumentalities and Audible Volitions (available here). More info soon.
©Darrin Zammit Lupin
The Sons de Resistência (Sounds of Resistance) Brazilian tour, supported by DGArtes, promises to be an exhilarating sonic journey, weaving together diverse musical traditions and cutting-edge experimentation. Led by the renowned percussionist, composer, producer and researcher Luís Bittencourt, this groundbreaking initiative will unfold in multiple cities, including São Paulo, João Pessoa, Salvador, and Belo Horizonte in 2024. In addition, Bittencourt will be premiering some works from his recent solo album, Instrumentalities and Audible Volitions (available here).
Bittencourt's performances are characterized by a fusion of tradition and innovation, pushing the boundaries of sound exploration while paying homage to the rich heritage of Brazilian and international music. This tour represents a captivating exploration of the multifaceted world of music, blending genres, cultures, and techniques to create a harmonious and thought-provoking auditory experience that resonates with themes of resistance and artistic evolution.
Dates and venues to be announced soon, stay tuned!
The world premiere of the documentary film SUR LA STRE NURO – NA CORDA BAMBA, directed by Luís Fernandes, took center stage at the Lisbon International Film Festival - Indie Lisboa 2024. This compelling documentary explores the intricacies of artistic expression and personal journeys, featuring insightful interviews with notable artists, including Luís Bittencourt, who not only shared his profound experiences on screen but also played a significant role in the development of the film’s script. The premiere was a celebrated highlight of the festival, showcasing Fernandes' visionary storytelling and the collaborative spirit of its contributors.
Watch the trailer:
More info at https://www.hotelier.com.pt/concertosnapiscina-66/
Luís Bittencourt will come back to Amsterdam for a concert to promote his first solo album release, Instrumentalities and Audible Volitions. Concert venue to announced soon, stay tuned!
This show is the result of an unprecedented partnership between multi-instrumentalist, composer, researcher and producer Luís Bittencourt and trumpet virtuoso Gileno Santana, made possible by an artistic residency and debut concert at Space Festival 2023, in Paredes de Coura. This meeting between two Portuguese-Brazilian musicians, who are national and international references in their fields, will be a unique fusion of talents, experiences and musical styles, combining the multifaceted experience of Luís Bittencourt, a "master of sound experimentation" (Visão magazine), with the versatility and dexterity of trumpeter Gileno Santana, a reference in jazz, classical music and traditional Portuguese music. This premiere promises to explore the frontiers of improvised music, sound experimentation, jazz and world music, offering the audience a unique and innovative musical experience.
Luís Bittencourt: With a diverse career, Luís Bittencourt is a musician who transcends musical boundaries. His mastery of a wide range of styles, from contemporary classical music to South American folk music and improvised experimental music, has set him apart as a versatile and innovative artist. His internationally acclaimed performances, described as a torrent of originality, reveal his passion for exploring new sounds and techniques, both in his original compositions and in the interpretation of works by renowned composers. Bittencourt is also a prolific researcher, whose pioneering investigations have broadened the understanding of contemporary percussion and the instrumental potential of different objects and sound materials. His work, based on the symbiotic relationship between artistic creation and research, as well as his performances and collaborations with world-renowned artists, have established him as a leading figure on the contemporary music scene.
Gileno Santana: Born in Salvador, Brazil, Gileno Santana began his musical journey as a self-taught musician at the age of 13 and quickly stood out for his exceptional talent as a trumpeter. His career led him to work with a wide variety of national artists before settling in Portugal, where he obtained his degree in music and became a respected jazz trumpet teacher at the Porto Conservatory of Music. Gileno Santana is known for his musical versatility, excelling both as a trumpet leader and in the interpretation of traditional Portuguese music. Throughout his career, he has been praised by music legends such as Hermeto Pascoal and has collaborated with an impressive list of internationally renowned artists.
More info at https://www.spacefestival.pt/programacao/luis-bittencourt-gileno-santana
A one-of-a-kind partnership between multi-instrumentalist, composer, researcher and producer Luís Bittencourt and trumpet virtuoso Gileno Santana, made possible by the daring mind of Space Festival’s artistic director Nuno Alves. Bittencourt and Santana will be in artistic residency in Paredes de Coura for their debut concert at the Space Festival 2023.
With a diverse career, Luís Bittencourt is a musician who transcends musical boundaries. His mastery of a wide range of styles, from contemporary classical music to South American folk music and improvised experimental music, has set him apart as a versatile and innovative artist. His internationally acclaimed performances, described as a torrent of originality, reveal his passion for exploring new sounds and techniques, both in his original compositions and in the interpretation of works by renowned composers. Bittencourt is also a prolific researcher, whose pioneering investigations have broadened the understanding of contemporary percussion and the instrumental potential of different objects and sound materials. His work, based on the symbiotic relationship between artistic creation and research, as well as his performances and collaborations with world-renowned artists, have established him as a leading figure on the contemporary music scene.
Born in Salvador, Brazil, Gileno Santana began his musical journey as a self-taught musician at the age of 13 and quickly stood out for his exceptional talent as a trumpeter. His career led him to work with a wide variety of national artists before settling in Portugal, where he obtained his degree in music and became a respected jazz trumpet teacher at the Porto Conservatory of Music. Gileno Santana is known for his musical versatility, excelling both as a trumpet leader and in the interpretation of traditional Portuguese music. Throughout his career, he has been praised by music legends such as Hermeto Pascoal and has collaborated with an impressive list of internationally renowned artists.
Luís Bittencourt will be at the iconic VIC Aveiro Arts House for a concert to promote his first solo album release, Instrumentalities and Audible Volitions.
Luís Bittencourt's concert at the Aveiro Arts House promises to be a truly exceptional experience, set against the backdrop of this historic venue steeped in Portuguese avant-garde history. Nestled within the Aveiro Arts House, which showcases unique stories and artworks from the country's avant-garde movement in the latter half of the 20th century, attendees will have the opportunity to explore the venue's small gallery. Beneath the surface, an underground auditorium, which once served as a clandestine cinema during the era of the fascist regime, will resonate with the innovative sounds of Bittencourt's performance. This unique fusion of avant-garde music and a historically significant location ensures an evening that not only delights the ears but also immerses the audience in Portugal's rich artistic heritage.
Solo performance at Teatro Jordão, Guimarães, Portugal.
Compositions: Ana Seara, Carlos Caires, Nuno Peixoto de Pinho and Sara Carvalho
Borealis Ensemble : António Carrilho (flutes) and Helena Marinho (piano)
Featuring: Aldovino Munguambe (percussion) and Luís Bittencourt (percussion)
Solo performance at the Underground Valetta, National Museum of Archaeology, as part of the program in the Malta International Arts Festival.
More info at https://www.festivals.mt/miaf
Solo performance at the Underground Valetta, National Museum of Archaeology, as part of the program in the Malta International Arts Festival.
More info at https://www.festivals.mt/miaf
Compositions: Ana Seara, Carlos Caires, Nuno Peixoto de Pinho and Sara Carvalho
Borealis Ensemble : António Carrilho (flutes) and Helena Marinho (piano)
Featuring: Aldovino Munguambe (percussion) and Luís Bittencourt (percussion)
Compositions: Ana Seara, Carlos Caires, Nuno Peixoto de Pinho and Sara Carvalho
Borealis Ensemble : António Carrilho (flutes) and Helena Marinho (piano)
Featuring: Aldovino Munguambe (percussion) and Luís Bittencourt (percussion)
Compositions: Ana Seara, Carlos Caires, Nuno Peixoto de Pinho and Sara Carvalho
Borealis Ensemble : António Carrilho (flutes) and Helena Marinho (piano)
Featuring: Aldovino Munguambe (percussion) and Luís Bittencourt (percussion)
Compositions: Ana Seara, Carlos Caires, Nuno Peixoto de Pinho and Sara Carvalho
Borealis Ensemble : António Carrilho (flutes) and Helena Marinho (piano)
Featuring: Aldovino Munguambe (percussion) and Luís Bittencourt (percussion)
Compositions: Ana Seara, Carlos Caires, Nuno Peixoto de Pinho and Sara Carvalho
Borealis Ensemble : António Carrilho (flutes) and Helena Marinho (piano)
Featuring: Aldovino Munguambe (percussion) and Luís Bittencourt (percussion)
