Marisa Monte

Rio native Marisa Monte is a Brazilian singer, songwriter, and producer with a career spanning twenty-five years. She is a true carioca, promoting Brazilian music and culture and some of its makers who may have otherwise been overlooked.

Monte produced the albums Tudo Azul (2000) and Argemiro Patrocínio (2002), both projects of the Velha guarda da Portela, a group of samba veterans from one of the most traditional samba schools in Rio de Janeiro. In 2008, she co-produced the film o Mistério do Samba (The Mystery of Samba), inspired by the history of this fascinating musical genre.

Monte is also involved in many social projects in Brazil, serving as the godmother of Portela Filhos da Águia (the youth group of the Portela samba school), and participating in Rio com entileza (Rio with Kindness), and the eu Sou da Paz (i’m for Peace) campaigns.