Fernando Machado
I am a guitarist, composer, workshop leader and teacher.
I make music. I play.
I write my own music and I facilitate others to write theirs.
Experimental and playful.
Grooves, songs, soundscapes.
I trained as a Classical Guitarist, studying with Brazilian Masters of the instrument such as Henrique Pinto, Fabio Zanon, Camilo Carrara and Paulo Porto Alegre.
After finishing my studies in 2002, I started researching and working in the field of Brazilian Traditional music and songwriting. For six years, I composed and performed with the award winning groups Babado de Chita and Nhambuzim and also the experimental Estúrdio Quarteto, all based in São Paulo, Brazil. These groups connected traditional, roots music to dance, theatre, literature and storytelling and from this moment on, MY work became focused on cross-arts collaborations in a range of settings, including interactive dance performances, children’s plays, acrobatic theatre and contemporary dance pieces.
In 2008, I moved to London, completing a Masters in Music Leadership at The Guildhall School of Music and Drama in 2010. The collaborative nature of the programme, the community approach to music making and the contact with musicians from different parts of the world opened the door to a diverse musical career focused on creativity, collaboration and exploring well-being through music in community settings.
As a performer in the UK, I have performed my music in venues such as The Southbank Centre, The Barbican Centre, Cecil Sharp House, Rich Mix, Vortex Jazz Venue, Café Oto, Battersea Arts Centre, Passing Clouds, Tropical Pressure Festival and Kemptown Carnival just to mention a few. One of my songs, "Alô, Berenice?", was also featured on BBC Radio World on 3.
I also nurture my ongoing passion for cross arts collaborations in the UK and I have worked as a musician for contact improvisation dance jams and theatre companies (such as Tangled Feet, Flamingo Feather and Jackdaw) and I often collaborate with visual artists (such as Somang Lee and Akhila Krishnan).
Facilitating music making in community settings is a strong part of my identity and contributes to my growth and development as an artist. As a workshop leader, I deliver creative music workshops, body percussion and Brazilian music and dance workshops in arts institutions, prisons, hospices, hospitals, nurseries, schools and community events. I also deliver Continuing Professional Development training for music educators and musicians and I have mentored undergraduate students from the Guildhall School of Music. I constantly research on an international scale to improve my own creative practice and has enjoyed collaborations with musicians, dancers, actors, storytellers and visual artists from all over the world.
Currently I work as an Associate Facilitator and team leader at Soundcastle, charity that works with music and wellbeing; as an Ambassador, Mentor and Workshop Leader at Aldeburgh Young Musicians (AYM); and a freelance musician and workshop leader.
I have produced and recorded three EPs and one album of original songs (in parnetship with flutist Hannah Dunster) under the name Lambrego; I produced the first Babado de Chita album (feat. Dona Onete, Marcelo Pretto, Côco Raízes de Arcoverde and Gil de Piquete); I produced the children’s album Archway Groovy Tots (in partnership with the Archway Children’s Centre) with songs from different parts of the world.
Currently, I compose and perform as Lambrego (original songwriting) and with Borges Machado (free improv), Samba Roda Viva (samba circle) and Sambaoke (mass karaoke with live samba band).