índio

da cuíca

Índio da Cuíca live at Novas Frequências

Índio da Cuíca: The Maestro Who Turned Samba's Cuíca into a Solo Voice

The cuíca stands as one of the most distinctive and defining instruments of Samba, its characteristic high-pitched sound weaving through the music's intricate rhythms. At the pinnacle of this tradition is Índio da Cuíca, a master percussionist whose life and career are an embodiment of Rio de Janeiro’s musical heritage.

In this live performance at Brazil’s foremost experimental music festival, Novas Frequências's 13th edition and iconic and historical venue in Rio de Janeiro’s black history, Quilombo Cultural Urbano Casa do Nando, Índio performs his first ever improvised and collaborative set with master percussionist from Maré in the north of Rio de Janeiro, Rodrigo Maré, where they play songs from Índio’s debut solo album titled ‘Malandro Cinco Estrelas’, improvised compositions, traditional Candomblé and Capoeira songs as well as an emotional appearance from his lifelong partner, Shirley, on keys—a dedication underscoring the deeply personal nature of the compositions in his debut album in this one-off collaboration.

Category
Date

December 17, 2025

Author

pedroskuster

The atmosphere at this performance was electric and magical at the same time. This kind of special feeling only happens when you place the right music, played at the right place to the right audience. Casa do Nando, based in Rio’s "Little Africa" region (Pedra do Sal/Cais do Valongo area known as a centre for Black culture and the birthplace of Samba) has an extensive and complex history in Brazil’s black resistance movement and history, and I’d encourage you to find out more here by using google translate. Both Índio’s and Casa do Nando’s histories collide in this film to make for a historic moment and I hope I made it justice with this film. More on Índio’s story:

Born in Morro do Borel in North Rio de Janeiro in May 1952, Índio inherited his connection to Samba directly from his family; his father, Mr. Manoel, founded one of Rio’s most revered Samba schools, Unidos da Tijuca. This deep lineage is evident not just in his music, but in the effortless charm and personality of a genuine malandro—a charismatic figure central to samba culture.

The Cuíca Specialist
Índio da Cuíca's musical journey began early at 14-years-old, playing in foundational groups like Brasil Ritmo and Corda K Samba. Yet, it was his specialisation on the cuíca that defined his career, earning him the celebrated moniker.

He distinguished himself by mastering a technique that remains rare among cuiqueiros (cuíca players): the execution of intricate melodies and scales based on the tonal system. This technical ability allowed him to adapt the instrument beyond its traditional rhythmic role, elevating it to a truly solo voice. Such skill was formally recognised when he earned a degree in the Rio de Janeiro Soloist Orchestra (OSJR) in the early 2000s.

Throughout the 70s and 90s, Índio contributed to the recordings and live performances of legends such as Alcione, Jair Rodrigues, Roberto Carlos, Dicró, and Maria Creuza. Simultaneously, he toured extensively across Brazil and internationally with major artistic companies led by cultural producers like Joãozinho Trinta and Haroldo Costa, including a long stint touring Europe with theatre plays and time living in Switzerland.

The Debut Album: A Dream Fulfilled
Despite a decades-long career of collaborations, orchestrations, and world tours, Índio da Cuíca fulfilled a lifelong dream with the release of his debut solo album, Malandro 5 Estrelas (Five-Star Malandro). Released in 2021 on his 70th birthday on QTV label, the album is a comprehensive statement of his original compositions, featuring his songwriting and instrumentally focused cuíca pieces as well as the impressive range of instruments he can play.

After a career spent cultivating the sound of the cuíca and shaping Brazilian music from the background, Índio da Cuíca has emerged as the definitive voice of his instrument, cementing his legacy as a true artist and original of Samba.

Rodrigo Maré: musician, percussionist, actor, and arts educator
Raised in the Complexo da Maré, he researches the sound cultures of the urban periphery and is a member of the theatre collective Cia Marginal, where he collaborates in both scenic and musical processes. In 2015, he created the project PANDEROLANDO MARÉ, a music-focused arts education initiative developed in residents’ homes, schools, and cultural spaces throughout the Maré favela complex. He has collaborated with leading figures in Brazilian music, including Gilberto Gil, Djalma Corrêa, Ana Frango Elétrico, Ava Rocha, and Céu, among others.

You can listen to ‘Malandro 5 Estrelas’ here and follow Índio @indiodacuica.

Special thank you to the whole Novas Frequências team, Casa Do Nando, Chico Dub and Natália Lebeis.