ABOUT

Iúri Oliveira

MUSICIAN | MULTI PERCUSSIONIST | COMPOSER | TOUR | STUDIO | EDUCATOR

©Joana Jorge

Born in 1989, Iúri Oliveira is a versatile percussionist, multi-instrumentalist, composer, researcher, sound designer, and music producer. He studied at The Rhythm Studio (London School of Popular Music) and Drumdrumdrum (Netherlands), mentored by prominent figures such as Giovanni Hidalgo, Mariano “Tiki” Cantero, Marcelo Wolosky, Roël Callister, Marcus Santana, and Jarrod Cagwin, among others.

With a unique language and a comprehensive approach that combines creativity and expressiveness, he has collaborated with musicians and composers across various genres. He works with different percussion styles and rhythmic traditions, spanning a plurality of sounds—from Fado to World music, Latin jazz to Fusion, and Pop to South American sounds, Electronic music, and Free improvisation.

He collaborates with international names and projects such as The Cinematic Orchestra, Django Bates, Angélique Kidjo, and Julian Argüelles. In the Lusophone world, he has worked with Sara Tavares, Bonga, Dino D’Santiago, Nancy Vieira, Paulo Flores, Karyna Gomes, Fogo Fogo, Lura, Julinho KSD, and Mayra Andrade. In the jazz scene, he has collaborated with the orchestras of Estela Alexandre and Espinho Jazz and Classic Orchestra, GUME, Gisela Mabel, and Sérgio Pelágio, among others. He is also a member of Eduardo Cardinho’s group, which won the Play Award for Best Jazz Album with the record Not Far from Paradise. In 2019, he performed with Madonna at the Billboard Music Awards at the MGM Grand Garden Arena in Las Vegas.

In partnership, Iúri Oliveira released the tracks “Casa” (with Edu Mundo), “Habitat” (with Manuel Rocha), and “Suão” (with Carlos Sanches). He has developed soundtracks for films and series, including "Soco a Soco", "The Shrovetide Devil", "Porta Premium", and "Maria Vitória". The soundtrack for "Auroras", featured in the film "João Ayres, Independent Painter", was recognized at the Paris Film Awards, the European Art Festival, and the Red Moon Film Festival. He also participates in the soundtrack for the North American series Man on Fire (Netflix, 2026).

In January 2025, he released his first leading album, "Manifesto"—a solo percussion record (recorded at Musibéria, in Serpa, and released by Respirar de Ouvido). Regarding this album, António Branco wrote for Jazz.pt: “As a percussionist, composer, and arranger, Iúri Oliveira attempts to step out of his comfort zone, seeking subtleties and exploring non-obvious rhythmic cells. (...) The music is open, featuring peaceful and introspective passages, others more vibrant, and some almost ceremonial.” Kevin Le Gendre wrote for Jazzwise "Manifesto is indeed a statement of artistic intent, but Oliveira’s ambitious, wide-ranging music also turns a revelatory spotlight on Afro-Portugese culture."(...) Raul da Gama wrote for Jazz Da Gama "Mr Oliveira has to be seen – as only the most prodigious musicians are – laced by the celestial glow, whose musicianship is seemingly made with Divine intervention."

The solo show has been performed live in a 360° format, with Oliveira combining multiple percussions, rhythmic tapestries, and pre-recorded sounds, exploring different atmospheres—from atmospheric landscapes to vibrant rhythmic patterns.

“My greatest legacy will be to inspire someone to embrace music as someone did for me in the past.” Iúri Oliveira, 2025

©Nuno Catarino