Marcos Valle is a central figure in Brazilian music, whose work spans more than six decades without settling into a single style. Born and raised in Rio de Janeiro, he emerged in the early 1960s as part of the second wave of bossa nova composers, writing songs that combined melodic clarity with a subtle rhythmic elasticity drawn from samba and jazz. He first reached an international audience with “Samba de Verão (Summer Samba),” a song that remains deeply woven into the global songbook. As the musical climate shifted, Valle continued to move with it. In the 1970s, his music opened up toward jazzier harmonies, psychedelic textures, and the broader field of MPB, while he also composed extensively for film and television. These years produced a body of work that feels exploratory yet grounded, balancing songcraft with curiosity. Later collaborations, including his work with American songwriter Leon Ware, brought elements of soul and boogie into his sound, expanding his rhythmic language without abandoning its Brazilian core. In the decades that followed, Valle’s music found new listeners through sampling, reissues, and live performances across Europe. Live, Marcos Valle presents his songs with ease and clarity. The arrangements are fluid, allowing rhythm, melody, and memory to interact. At Jazz Middelheim, his music resonates as part of a living jazz tradition: rooted in song, open to change, and shaped by attentive listening.

• 'This is Marcos Valle' Playlist on Spotify