Duduka da Fonseca

Duduka da Fonseca is a Brazilian drummer, bandleader, and educator whose groups connect samba and bossa nova with modern small-group jazz in New York and Rio.

DrumsBandleaderEducator7 current shows

Photo source · Photo: Jeff Dunn, CC BY 2.0, via Wikimedia Commons

Career Overview

About Duduka da Fonseca

Sunnyside Records traces da Fonseca from Rio de Janeiro to New York in 1975 and documents his work with Trio da Paz, his Brazilian trio, and several earlier samba-jazz groups. The label biography also records his teaching and Brazilian Rhythms for Drumset method book.[1]

His recent label catalog separates three ensemble ideas: the David Feldman-Guto Wirtti trio recorded in Rio, a program of Jobim and Brazilian jazz with Hélio Alves and Maucha Adnet, and Quarteto Universal with Alves, Vinicius Gomes, and Gili Lopes.[2][3][4][5]

Ensembles and Career Threads

Bands & Projects

Co-founder and drummer

Trio da Paz

Da Fonseca's long-running trio with guitarist Romero Lubambo and bassist Nilson Matta is a central part of his New York Brazilian-jazz work.[1][4]

Leader and drummer

Duduka da Fonseca Trio

Formed 2009

The Rio-based trio with pianist David Feldman and bassist Guto Wirtti developed the rapport documented on Plays Dom Salvador and Rio Fantasia.[2][5]

Leader and drummer

Quarteto Universal

Formed 2021

Da Fonseca formed the quartet with Hélio Alves, Vinicius Gomes, and Gili Lopes to balance Brazilian rhythmic language with modern-jazz improvisation.[4]

Selected, Not Exhaustive

Recordings to Know

2018 · Sunnyside Records

Plays Dom Salvador

Trio leader and drummer

Da Fonseca, David Feldman, and Guto Wirtti reinterpret music by pianist Dom Salvador, with Jaques Morelenbaum joining on cello.[2]

Release details

2022 · Sunnyside Records

Yes!!!

Quarteto Universal leader and drummer

The first Quarteto Universal recording features da Fonseca with Hélio Alves, Vinicius Gomes, and Gili Lopes.[4]

Release details

2025 · Sunnyside Records

Rio Fantasia

Trio leader and drummer

Recorded in Rio after the trio reconvened in January 2024, Rio Fantasia combines Brazilian standards and originals with guests Paulo Levi and Maucha Adnet.[5]

Release details

Artist-Authorized Destinations