João Bosco and The NDR Bigband & Rafael Rocha
Biography João Bosco and The NDR Bigband & Rafael Rocha
João Bosco
de Freitas Mucci, better known as João Bosco is a noted Brazilian singer-songwriter with a distinctive style as a guitarist.
Born on July 13, 1946, in Ponte Nova, Minas Gerais, João Bosco's profession was engineering when he moved to Rio de Janeiro, where his songs were also recorded by Elis Regina and were a success.
He soon became admired as a versatile vocalist and a dynamic performer. João Bosco has been noted for "his singular fusion of Arab culture, Afro-American music and Brazilian styles bossa nova", influenced by American jazz.
João Bosco has been loved in his home country of Brazil for decades, since the 60s when he first began composing and performing.
In the 1970s he established his reputation in Música Popular Brasileira alongside collaborator lyricist Aldir Blanc.
In the early 90s, Bosco mounted a major tour of the US, and since then he has become increasingly popular internationally, regularly performing at the prestigious Montreux Jazz Festival.
Despite his growing popularity outside of his homeland, Bosco remains thoroughly attached to Brazil to the point of never leaving it for extended periods.
A new album, "Mano Que Zuera", was released in 2019.
Rafael Rocha
is a Brazilian trombonist, arranger, and composer with an international career, recognized for his versatility at the intersection of concert music, jazz, and Brazilian popular music.
Holding a Bachelor’s degree in Trombone from FAMES (Faculdade de Música do Espírito Santo) and a postgraduate degree in Music Education, he has built a solid career as both a creator and performer. He has collaborated with some of the most important names in Brazilian and international music, such as Djavan, Ivan Lins, João Bosco, Bob Mintzer, Paquito D'Rivera, Hamilton de Holanda, Dom Salvador, Carlos Lyra, João Donato, Marcos Valle, and Leila Pinheiro, among many others.
His work spans everything from major studio recordings to symphonic and big band projects.
As a trombonist and arranger, he has contributed to recent albums by Djavan and is a member of his current touring band. Alongside Ivan Lins, he participated in projects with the group Brasilidade Geral, including high-profile recordings and concerts.
In 2025, he undertook one of his most significant projects: conducting, arranging, and performing as a soloist on João Bosco’s new album with the NDR Bigband. Recorded in Germany, the album is scheduled for release in 2026. In this same context, he led the NDR Bigband in concerts at Sala São Paulo, further solidifying his presence on the international concert music and jazz circuit.
As an arranger, he creates works for orchestras and big bands in Brazil and abroad, writing for ensembles such as the Russian Philharmonic Orchestra, the Brazilian Symphony Orchestra (OSB), the Brasil Jazz Sinfônica, and the São Paulo Big Band—where he serves as resident arranger—as well as international groups like the Chad LB Global Big Band. His arrangements have been performed in major concert halls, including venues in Berlin.
His discography includes original projects and notable collaborations, such as albums by the Rafael Rocha Big Band and the DVD *Brasilidade Geral & Bob Mintzer*. He has also worked as an arranger and soloist on international projects, including recordings in Russia and concerts in Moscow and St. Petersburg.
In the audiovisual sector, he is an active arranger for major Brazilian television productions, working on programs such as *The Voice Brasil* and symphonic projects like "Novela em Sinfonia," as well as creating scores and recordings for various TV productions.
Alongside his performance career, he is deeply involved in instrumental music—leading and performing in various ensembles—and regularly participates in festivals and educational activities in Brazil and abroad.
His work is distinguished by a blend of orchestral sophistication, mastery of jazz idioms, and a profound connection to contemporary Brazilian music, establishing a unique identity that moves effortlessly across diverse musical worlds.
