Aline Morales & Maria and the Band

Aline Morales

Born and raised in Belo Horizonte, Brazil, Aline Morales began her performing career as a child training in capoeira. By the time she reached her early twenties, she had performed in a number of traditional and contemporary bands including Brazil’s most well-known maracatu group, Nacao Estrela Brilhante do Recife, then led by her mentor Mestre Walter de Franca. Since her arrival in Toronto in 2003, she has been a tireless promoter of the traditional rhythms of northeastern Brazil, continuing to perform with her percussion troupe, Baque de Bamba, at countless festivals and events.

Now drawing upon a wider range of influences, Morales finds herself in a stage of musical exploration. Gone is the heavy wall of percussion, replaced instead by lush, eclectic arrangements, seamlessly blending traditional and modern instruments. At home in her new role as a solo artist, Morales “shines with mature confidence amid [producer]David Arcus’ outstanding orchestrations.” (David Dacks, the Grid). Her debut solo album ‘Flores, Tambores e Amores’ was nominated for a Juno Award, and her highly anticipated sophomore record is slated for release in spring of 2020.

In addition to her solo accomplishments, Morales was selected as part of Canada’s Global Orchestra, Kuné, in 2016, and continues to perform and record with the ensemble as vocalist and percussionist.

Maria and the Band

Formed in 2011 through an organic collaboration between Brazilian and Canadian musicians living and working in the diverse music scene of west-end Toronto, Maria Bonita and The Band plays forró pé de serra. Lead by the dynamic and charming Jerusa Leão, the group has performed in several local Toronto venues including the Dakota Tavern, the Gladstone Hotel, Lula Lounge and the Great Hall, and have regularly performed as part of festivals and events put on by the Fedora Upside Down collective and Uma Nota Culture. Other performances have included a workshop at Massey Hall for the Share the Music Foundation, the Small World Music Festival, Expressions of Brazil Festival at Harbourfront Centre and Toronto’s Brazilfest. In the summer of 2018, the band did a popular summer residency at Drom Taberna, Toronto’s newest go-to for intimate live music. Incorporating rabeca (Brazilian fiddle), zabumba (two-toned drum), accordion, triangle, and a chorus of vocals, Maria Bonita and The Band plays original compositions and also interpret the greats of classical forro so beloved in Brazil.