Brazil MPB 2000s ▶ 351K subscribers

Yamandu Costa

Yamandu Costa is a Brazilian guitarist and composer whose main instrument is the violão de sete cordas, the Brazilian seven-string guitar.

Origins

Born in 1980 in Passo Fundo, he began studying guitar at seven with his father, Algacir Costa, and later with Argentine guitarist Lúcio Yanel. He first played in São Paulo in 1997, and the 2005 documentary Brasileirinho brought him international attention.

The sound

His playing moves between choro, samba, bossa nova and the milonga, tango and chamamé of Brazil's southern border, delivered with fast, improvisatory technique. He records often in duos with other instrumentalists.

Legacy

He won the 2021 Latin Grammy for Best Instrumental Album with Bachianinha, recorded with Toquinho, after earlier nominations. In 2026 he received two more nominations, for Peregrino and La Quinta Esencia.