Born in São Paulo, Dudu Tucci is an internationally recognised musician, percussionist, and composer. Deeply rooted in the drum traditions of Afro-Brazilian religions and trained in classical music, he blends traditional rhythms with elements of jazz, pop, and world music. He studied flute and classical percussion at the Brooklin Paulist Conservatory and the Instituto de Artes do Planalto UNESP, laying the foundation for his wide-ranging musical career. From 1977 to 1985, he worked as a composer and performer with dancer and choreographer Ismael Ivon before moving to Berlin in 1982 with the avant-garde band Clara Crocodilo, led by Arrigo Barnabé – a turning point that marked the beginning of his international career.
By 1983, Dudu Tucci had already begun teaching percussion across German-speaking countries. In 1989, he and Krista Zeißig founded the PercussionArtCenter (PAC) in Berlin, which quickly became an important hub for Brazilian drumming in Europe. Together with ethnomusicologist Tiago de Oliveira Pinto, he published the book Samba und Sambistas in Brasil in 1992.
His professional development project in Brazilian Percussion Raízes do Brasil shaped generations of percussionists. Since 1989, many bandleaders of European Samba groups and schools as well as countless dedicated musicians have taken part in this unique program. Similar projects also took place in the UK from 1996 to 2015, and until today, there is no comparable qualification in Europe.
Dudu Tucci Solo PDFAs a sought-after educator and mentor, Dudu Tucci has taught at renowned institutions such as the Mozarteum University Salzburg, the Orff Institute Taiwan, the University of Memphis (USA), and various occasions in Brazil. In Berlin, he teaches at Drumtrainer Berlin, which offers a professional program for aspiring drummers, and regularly leads percussion workshops and drumming courses that attract participants from around the world. His percussion and drumming workshops attract participants from around the world.
Musical Work
Dudu Tucci released his debut album Oduduá in 1990, followed by eleven other albums including Obatimalê (1992), Orishás (1994), Native Dreamer (1995), Tribal World (1997), Afoxé Loni (2002), Inaê (2004), Amacy (2005), Nadador (2006), Tambores (2011), Morena do Sol (2014), and Dia de Paz (2023). On all his recordings, he plays and records the percussion parts himself, while also appearing as singer, lyricist, flutist, and keyboard player. His music merges modern Brazilian and Latin American styles with traditional rhythms such as Samba, Maracatu, and the ritual music of Candomblé and Umbanda.
Ensembles & Projects
In 1996, Dudu Tucci, Krista Zeißig and dancer Murah Soarez founded the percussion and dance group Afoxé Loni. Later, in 2012, the formation Brasil Power Drums followed. With his bands or as a solo artist, he has performed around the world – including in Brazil, Mexico, the USA, Korea, Morocco, Japan, Singapore, Taiwan, and across Europe. Highlights of his career include performances at the Expo 2000 in Hanover and the Expo 2012 in Sacheon, Korea. His work has made him a key ambassador of Afro-Brazilian music in and beyond Europe.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
Where does Dudu Tucci teach percussion workshops?
Dudu Tucci regularly offers percussion workshops and drumming courses in Berlin at the PercussionArtCenter (PAC), as well as at international music schools and institutes around the world.
Can you learn Brazilian rhythms with Dudu Tucci?
Yes. His courses cover Samba, Maracatu, Afoxé, Candomblé, Umbanda, and many other traditional and contemporary Brazilian rhythms.
Does Dudu Tucci teach in Berlin?
Yes. You can study with him in Berlin at the PercussionArtCenter (PAC) and at Drumtrainer Berlin, both known for their professional-level percussion training.
Which musicians has Dudu Tucci influenced?
Through his professional development project in Brazilian Percussion, Dudu Tucci has inspired and trained generations of percussionists. His teaching has guided and inspired many Samba group leaders and percussionists throughout Germany and Europe.
Which albums has Dudu Tucci released?
He has released twelve albums to date, including Oduduá, Orishás, Afoxé Loni, and Morena do Sol, showcasing the diversity and depth of Afro-Brazilian percussion music.
Audio samples
CDs by/with Dudu Tucci
