Today we’d like to introduce you to Marco Antonio Santos
Hi Marco Antonio , so excited to have you with us today. What can you tell us about your story?
I am a guitarist, arranger, composer, and music educator, originally from Minas Gerais, Brazil, and now based in Austin, Texas.
My musical journey began at the age of twelve when I first picked up a guitar. By the time I was twenty, I had already started working professionally as a musician. In 2016, I moved to the USA to pursue a master’s degree and ended up also completing a Doctor of Musical Arts (DMA) at The University of Texas at Austin.
Throughout almost twenty years as a professional musician, I’ve performed extensively in Brazil and the United States, navigating freely between jazz, funk, pop, and Brazilian music. My style blends traces from multiple musical influences, ranging from Radiohead and Julian Lage to Maria Schneider and Brazilian legend Milton Nascimento.
In spring 2023, ears&eyes Records released my debut album, About: Silence, a conceptual work that combines music, visual art, improvisational dance, and poetry to explore the various meanings of silence—introspection, grief, oppression, absence of sound, and more. Conceived during the forced solitude of the COVID-19 pandemic, when live musical performances all but ceased, and amid times of social upheaval and racial violence, About: Silence is a full-throated embrace of artistic expression across multiple dimensions. The album’s eleven compositions are brought to life by a jazz trio of guitar, upright bass, and drums, joined by a woodwind quartet on four tracks and a string quartet on five. The album received many positive reviews.
I grew up in Betim, a blue-collar town on the outskirts of the Minas Gerais state capital, Belo Horizonte. The twelve-year-old boy who picked up an old guitar because he couldn’t play soccer never imagined that his musical journey would take him thousands of miles from home. As a performer, arranger, and composer, I’ve recorded and toured with acclaimed artists from across the globe, including Grammy-nominated Brazilian drummer Nenê, Brazilian vocalists Di Melo and Hilda Maria, Brazilian jazz group Katchie Cartwright Trio, the University of Texas Jazz Orchestra, pop jazz group Live Jukebox Trio, and Austin-based elite big band CWBB. I’ve also played alongside renowned artists such as Jeff Hellmer, Dr. John Mills, Andre Hayward, Fernando Correa, Rafael dos Santos, Jurema Paes, and André “Limão” Queiroz. Behind the scenes, I’ve been a producer and musical director for different artists.
I play with an arranger’s approach, not only playing guitar lines but also creating textures and thinking about how the music resonates as a whole. When playing in an ensemble, I like to guide the other musicians, suggesting ideas that lead us together down unexpected paths.
I hold a doctorate in jazz composition and a master of music degree in jazz performance from The University of Texas at Austin (UT Austin). I was a member of UT Austin’s elite jazz ensemble, A.I.M.E., in 2017, when it won Downbeat Magazine’s Award for Best College Jazz Ensemble, performing several of my works. In 2022, I became chair of the guitar panel at the Texas Music Educators Association (TMEA), where I’ve been a member of the jury since 2021.
I maintain a busy schedule performing with numerous ensembles in the Austin, Texas, area.
I’m sure it wasn’t obstacle-free, but would you say the journey has been fairly smooth so far?
Fortunately, I’ve always been able to work as a full-time musician, which I know is something many people struggle to achieve. However, my journey hasn’t been without its challenges.
One of the most difficult decisions I made was to leave my degree in advertising to pursue a career in music education. This choice was hard on my family, but I truly could not see any sense in choosing anything other than going ahead with that. After finishing my undergraduate degree, I started my career in the state of São Paulo, where I had to work incredibly hard. I was teaching and performing weekly in four different cities, often far from each other, which made those early years both physically and mentally demanding.
The hardest period by far was during the pandemic when everything shut down. Almost overnight, I lost nearly all of my work. It was a very difficult time, not just financially, but mentally as well. My identity is deeply intertwined with my work and my passion for music, so losing that sense of purpose was incredibly challenging.
Thanks for sharing that. So, maybe next you can tell us a bit more about your work?
I am a musician—guitarist, arranger, composer, and educator. I believe my versatility and arranger’s mindset have helped me find my place in the field. I often work across various styles, including jazz, pop, musical theater, improvised music, composed music, and Latin music, especially Brazilian. These are just a few examples, and being able to adapt to different genres has allowed me to participate in a range of performance and studio work. I think this adaptability has earned me a reputation as someone who can easily fit into different musical settings, which is something I’m grateful for.
There are a few things I’m particularly proud of in my journey. Many singers and soloists have told me that I help make their performances easier, and I’m often asked to step into a “casual and sometimes official music director” role, which I take as a compliment. Another thing that I’m proud of is my album, where I was fortunate to collaborate with talented woodwind, string, and jazz rhythm section players; videomakers, dancers, and visual artists.
I’m also proud to advocate for fair conditions for musicians, particularly those who are less experienced. I try to be open about the importance of transparency, especially when it comes to financial matters. This commitment to fairness is something I carry into my work with Prime Entertainment Collective, the booking/entertainment company I co-founded with two friends. We all share the same vision of transparency and fair treatment for the musicians we work with.
In terms of my style as a musician, I focus on achieving a good tone, maintaining respectful stage etiquette, and bringing a creative attitude to every performance. I’m also proud of the many meaningful friendships I’ve made along the way, which have been an essential part of my journey.
Is there any advice you’d like to share with our readers who might just be starting out?
Don’t forget what brought you to music. It’s easy to become weary of the job, frustrated with other musicians, or stressed by clients and employers. Many musicians let these distractions affect them, leading to performances that feel more bureaucratic than inspired.
Even if you play well, you need to be remembered. Have a strong presence in your community. This could mean consistently sharing content on social media to showcase your playing, or simply showing up to support other musicians at their gigs. Remember, there are many others who can do the same job as you, so staying on people’s minds is essential. Cultivate good relationships with your fellow musicians, especially those who play your instrument—they’re often the ones who can open new doors for you.
Reputation takes time to build, but it can be damaged quickly. Be punctual, dress appropriately, come prepared to your gigs, and use good equipment. I’ve seen talented guitar players with top-notch guitars, amps, and pedals, but then they show up with a poor-quality music stand, cables, or even a shabby guitar bag. It’s important to not only sound professional but also look the part.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.marcoantoniosantos.com/
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/musician.marco/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/marcosantosmusic
- Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@musicianmarco
- Soundcloud: https://soundcloud.com/marco-antonio-santos-191892307
- Other: https://marcoantoniosantos.bandcamp.com/album/about-silence
Image Credits
headshoot black and white: Ligia Francisco
studio brown jacket: Raul Ochoa
blue shirt dark stage and studio looking down: Zoe and Tristan Weddings
outdoor photo: Patrick Hagenow
