WAGNER TRINDADE

WAGNER TRINDADE

On a mission to excite others to hone their creative expression, find the freedom to be true to oneself, and be an active participant in the intricate weave of life, Wagner Trindade’s original songs, and arrangements are lyrical, emotional, and lively, echoing the energy and spirit of Brazil. Having grown up in Rio de Janeiro, his music naturally captures the feeling of tenacity and grit that he admires in Brazilians who can find the humor in adversity - working oneself through the muck of the inevitable onrush of perseverance or the longing feeling of “God knows what” - triumph often reflected in his virtuosic bass solos.

Always looking up to his brother Paulo, Wagner learned the guitar basics from him as a young boy. Sharing a single guitar among them would quickly not suffice. Luck would strike when a neighbor had an old beat-up guitar with the first two strings missing. Overjoyed and creative, the brothers could now form a duet on guitar and Wagner’s newly discovered “bass.” Electric bass became an obsession when a friend gave Wagner an old VHS of Chick Corea’s Inside Out. This video would change his life trajectory from playing for fun with friends to making fun a profession on bass. Soon after that, Wagner would form Dialeto Brasileiro, catapulting his curiosity and passion for world culture into an international career. Dialeto Brasileiro translates to Brazilian Dialect and carries with it the reference of a melting pot of many genres performed with a distinct Brazilian sound. His album, No Caminho, features "Baía Grande" (Big Bay) and "Segunda-feira" (Monday), whose performance in the Brazilian National 2002 Cascavel Jazz Festival won Dialeto Brasileiro the prize for Best Instrumental Ensemble.

Wagner has traveled and resided across the Americas, where he has performed notable venues, provided master classes, and guest lectured at various universities throughout Brazil, the U.S., and China. He feels honored to have had the opportunity to share the stage with acclaimed artists such as Lizz Wright, Allen Toussaint, Nancy King, Rique Pantoja, Giulio Figueroa, and many other distinguished friends. 

Wagner Trindade currently lives with his wife, Marie, in Los Angeles, is a full-time faculty instructor at Los Angeles Harbor College and an active musician throughout L.A. He holds a Master of Music degree from Western Oregon University and a Bachelor of Music degree from Universidade Federal do Estado do Rio de Janeiro. He is currently in the process of recording a new album and publishing a work featuring his unique approach to improvisation.