Biography

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Vera Figueiredo

 

Drummer and composer, graduated in piano, she chose music as her path. The drums have been guided her, and no one combine rhythms with such fluidity as Vera Figueiredo. It’s samba flirting with jazz, rock, funk. It’s “forró with a salsa flavor,” and the ballads in the style of bossa nova.


A Brazilian artist with global projection, she has participated in in the most important national and international music festivals. She’s welcome for many countries for her deep knowledge of Brazilian rhythms and her talent as a drummer and composer.


In 1990, she founded IBVF Brasil, a music school that has since hosted icons of drumming for special masterclasses. To give students the opportunity to connect with leading musicians in the drumming scene, she also created and continues to organize Batuka! Brasil, a festival dedicated to drums and percussion.


Beyond her solo career, she actively participates in various projects across different musical styles. From 2000 to 2016, she was part of the Altas Horas band on the TV Globo program hosted by Sergio Groisman. Though no longer part of the show, the band continues performing as Altos Hits, mainly at corporate events. She also played with the Avon Orchestra, accompanying artists such as American singer Diana King and renowned Brazilians Zélia Duncan, Nana Caymmi, Daniela Mercury, Milton Nascimento, Rita Lee, Leila Pinheiro, and Margareth Menezes.


Vera Figueiredo was a member of Kali, Brazil’s first all-female instrumental group, which released a self-titled album. She contributed articles to Modern Drummer Brasil magazine and curated Ecos Musicais, a project by SESC Osasco (in São Paulo, Brazil) dedicated to promoting original works by local artists.


Together with Débora Gurgel (piano) and Vanessa Ferreira (bass), she formed Trio Solar, born from the Encontros Musicais project by Selo SESC. Their original compositions were included in an EP released in 2025, performed at SESC venues in Campinas, Sorocaba, and Jundiaí cities (São Paulo), at the Municipal Theater during the 27th Itajaí Music Festival (Santa Catarina), and at JazzB Club in São Paulo. Vera and Débora also appeared on Rádio Nacional to discuss the new EP.

 

ALBUNS

 

  • Vera Figueiredo & Convidados (Baratos Afins)
  • From Brasil (Camerati)
  • Vera Cruz Island (Rainbow Records)

 

WHAT THEY ARE TALKING ABOUT VERA

 

From behind the drum set, Vera Figueiredo took the audience from the Brazilian rainforest into the clubs and concert halls of the world. Jaws dropped at her unique presence, approach, and distinctive licks.

T. Bruce Wittet for Modern Drummer, on Vera’s performance at the Montreal Drum Fest (Canada).


Samba Queen…

Les Woodland calling Vera Figueiredo “the Samba Queen” during an interview for the British magazine Rhythm.


"Vera Cruz Island" is a kind of photograph album of Vera´s soul: intense, with beautiful images and full of passion for her art.

Régis Tadeu, for the Brazilian magazine Batera & Percussão, about the album Vera Cruz Island.


Your drumming is so powerful and full of tradition.

Ken Micallef, para a revista Modern Drummer americana, sobre o disco Vera Cruz Island.


Although she is more closely associated with jazz, she is regarded as a leading reference in Brazilian drumming and one of the most eclectic artists on the scene: she has played with just about everyone you can imagine.

Billboard Brasil, Locomotivas do Rock.

 

I always believed in Vera, by the positivity she delivers, it can only be turned into a success, into good things. Success that brings happiness, this is what I wish because music is happiness.
Rubens Barsotti (Zimbo Trio)


I have had the great opportunity to perform with Vera many times around the globe. She always impresses me with her great dedication and musicality! She is a creative, enthusiastic and inventive artist! Her drumming is unique and her groove is exciting! Every time I hear Vera play, I become a student again to listen and learn! Enjoy taking a musical journey with a true first class world musician!
Dom Famularo


By her music and drum performances, Vera represents the incredible Brazilian Rhythmic Culture. She is a sheer example of vision, consistence, love and talent. It is fantastic the drumset community have an artist like Vera, which surprises us everyday as an educator, performer, artist and person. I am very fortunate to know her and share the same infinite love for the drum set in Argentina, Brazil and at some of the worlds most important drum festivals. I thank you Vera for your contribution and congratulations on the “Vera Cruz Island” Play Along.
Gustavo Meli


Vera brings her warm spirit, wonderful touch and vast knowledge of rhythms to the drum set, bringing us great music to listen to and experience. Her dedication to teaching and inspiring young drummers through 'Batuka' and other festivals makes her such a wonderful asset to the drumming community world wide!
Dave Weckl


Vera takes the beautiful rhythms of Brazil to new heights that we all must try and reach. Her book is a must have.
Clayton Cameron
 

 

VIVA NOVEMBER TOUR

Alongside Australian drummer Virgil Donati, he took part in a tour that began in Belfast, Northern Ireland, passing through Scotland, Wales, and several cities in England, concluding with a performance in London.

 

FESTIVAIS NACIONAIS E INTERNACIONAISThe musicality, talent for composing and performing music, and profound knowledge of Brazilian rhythms have led Vera Figueiredo to participate in major national and international festivals. Some of them include:

Brazilian: 2º Baterahy Itajaí (SC), Batuka! Brasil (SP), BH Minas em Harmonia (MG), Days Music Store (MG), Ecos do Ingá – Mostra de Música Instrumental (PR), I Encontro de Bateristas das Escolas de Música Arte e Saber | Flipo – Feira Literária do Poeta (BA). I Encontro Percussivo REC-PEC (PR), Encontros de Bateras de Bragança Paulista (SP), Favela Jazz Festival (SP), FESCC – Festival de Corais (SP), 9º Festival de Música (PR), Festival de música de Curitiba (PR), 20º Festival de Música de Itajaí (SC), 19º Festival de Música de Ourinhos (SP), Girls On Drums (PR), 1ª Mostra Jazz à Paulista – Artistas (SP), Palhoça Drum Fest (SC), PAS Brazil Chapter (SP), III Percussão em Foco (SC), Sabian Day Brasil, Salão da Bateria (SP), 4ª Semana da Percussão (MG), Síncope – Bateristas e percussionistas da região centro-oeste (DF), Studio Cabana (MG) e TUM Sound Festival (SC).


International: Germany: Dresdner Drum Festival. Argentina: Mendoza International Drum Fest. Australia: The Ultimate Drummers Weekend. Canadá: Cape Breton International Drum Fest. Chile: Drum Fest - Primer Festival Internacional de Batería y Percusíon. Spain: Dinamika International Drum Fest (alongside Benny Greb, Massimo Russo and Alberto Mazza)  and La Rioja Drumming Festival (alongside Tommy Aldridge, Ray Luzier, Brendan Buckley, Chris Coleman, Aquiles Priester, Dom Famularo among others). USA: Kosa International Drum Event and PASIC – Percusive Arts Society Convention. England: International Drum Clinic | McQueens Theatre, Planet Drum London. Itália: Dinamika International Drum Fest (ao lado Benny Greb, Massimo Russo e Alberto Mazza), I Dom Famularo Memorial, Drum Ladies Fest, PAS - Percussive Art Society, Percfest Memorial Naco and III Raduno Nazionale Batteriste Italiane (alongside Roberto Gualdi and Ippolito Pingitore).  Luxemburg: AGP Drum Event. Mexico: PercuSonidos Festival Internacional de Percusiones and Laguna Drum Fest. Sweden: Days of Percussion and The School of Music, Theatre and Art at Örebro University.

 

CLINIC | MASTERCLASS | PERFORMANCE

Dedicated to promoting Brazilian music both in Brazil and abroad, Vera Figueiredo has been teaching workshops, clinics, masterclasses, and private lessons focused on Brazilian rhythms.


She has performed in Germany at Musikmesse Frankfurt and Drumtrainer / PAC – Percussion Art Center; in Australia at Drumtek (alongside percussionist Dudu Tucci); in Italy at Dinamika Drum School; and in Portugal at Hot Five Jazz & Blues Club. She has also presented workshops and masterclasses on Brazilian rhythms and her original compositions throughout Italy, including Sardinia (Cagliari and Sassari), Pescara (Montesilvano), and Lavagna (Liguria).


In Brazil, she has shared her music and expertise with students and professionals in several cities, from São Paulo’s capital to interior cities such as Araçatuba, Limeira, and Santo André, as well as João Pessoa (PB), Curitiba (PR), Porto Alegre (RS), Natal (RN), Brasília (DF), Ponta Grossa (PR), Pouso Alegre (MG), and Rio de Janeiro (RJ), among others. She has also performed concerts and workshops at SESC São Paulo units in Itaquera, Jundiaí, Osasco, Campinas, Sorocaba, and Belenzinho, in addition to a workshop at the Douglas Bueno School in Sorocaba (SP).
 

 

EDUCATIONAL WORK


Video Lessons (English subtitles)
•    Ritmos Afro-Brasileiros & Influência Afro-Cubana (Afro-Brazilian Rhythms & Afro-Cuban Influence)
•    Os 40 Rudimentos (The 40 Rudiments)

 

Books
Vera Cruz Island – Brazilian Rhythms for Drumset 

A play-along publication released by the American publisher Hudson Music, co-authored with Daniel Oliveira and based on the compositions from the album Vera Cruz Island.


Método Prático Berklee para Bateria (Berklee Practical Method For Drums)

Translator of the renowned Berklee College of Music method by Ron Savage and Casey Scheuerell for publication in the Brazilian market by Editora Passarim.


Masterclass

She has developed several educational projects, including the sérieMASTERCLASS, which brings together Brazilian and international drummers and percussionists at the Rubens Barsotti Auditorium at IBVF Brasil. Participating musicians have included Kiko Freitas, Jean Dolabella, André Dea, Tony TC Coleman, Julio Cesar, Charles Gavin, Clayton Cameron, Edu Ribeiro, Fernando Amaro, and Will Calhoun.

 

BATUKA! BRASIL

In 1990, Vera Figueiredo founded IBVF Brasil – Instituto de Bateria Vera Figueiredo, now known as IBVF Brasil, which became an important center for the study of Brazilian drumming and percussion in the city of São Paulo. A few years later, she created IBVF Produções, an event production company dedicated to music-related projects, including Batuka! Brasil, now recognized as one of the leading drum and percussion festivals in Brazil.


The festival, first presented in 1996 in São Paulo, has featured artists such as Dave Weckl, Jojo Mayer, Jimmy Branly, Virgil Donati, Marco Minnemann, Gustavo Meli, and the late American drummers Jim Chapin, Dom Famularo, and John Blackwell. Brazilian artists have included Celso de Almeida, Duda Neves, Funk Como Le Gusta, Albino Infantozzi, Daniel Baeder, Banda Gueto, Osvaldinho da Cuíca, Caito Marcondes Trio, Soundscape Big Band, and Eloy Casagrande, among others.


The festival also hosts the National Drummers Competition, which has brought musicians from several Brazilian cities to the Batuka! Brasil stage, representing the diversity of Brazilian music. Winners have included Rafael Barata, Sandro Moreno, and Igor Willcox. Two albums were released featuring artists who performed at the festival and winners of the competition.


During the pandemic, Vera Figueiredo produced and hosted the online series Batuka! Brasil | Grandes Encontros, interviewing artists who had appeared at the festival. The nineteen episodes featured competition winners such as Rafael Barata, Igor Willcox, and Sandro Moreno, as well as artists including Dom Famularo, Cuca Teixeira, Will Calhoun, John Riley, and Daniel Baeder.
 

 

VERA FIGUEIREDO TRIO

Formed by Vera Figueiredo (drums), Marcos Romera (piano), and Carlos Ribeiro Jr. (bass), the Vera Figueiredo Trio is active in the instrumental music scene.


With the online concert Tambor, the trio marked the return of Instrumental SESC Brasil during the pandemic. The reopening performance featured percussionist Julio Cesar and was broadcast on TV Sesc’s YouTube channel. The trio also performed at the Santos Jazz Festival and at SESC units including Consolação, Campinas, Sorocaba, Ribeirão Preto, Jundiaí, Belenzinho, and Itaquera.


After live concerts resumed following the pandemic, the trio returned to the instrumental music circuit, including participation in the 1st Mostra de Jazz à Paulista (SP), a project dedicated to recording a live album featuring previously unreleased works by important names in the local jazz scene. Vera Figueiredo recorded two live tracks with her trio for the project.


This was followed by a series of performances, including at SESC Bom Retiro (SP), featuring special guest Derico Sciotti; Bourbon Jazz Festival Paraty; Valadares Jazz Festival; Palhoça Drum Fest; Ecos do Ingá – Mostra de Música Instrumental; Favela Jazz Festival; the JazzB club; and during the prestigious Prêmio Jabuti.
 

 

SPECIAL APPEARANCES

 

Sabian Tour  
Performed alongside drummer Dom Famularo and percussionist Richie Gajate Garcia in Brasília (DF) and São Paulo (SP). With Dom Famularo, also in Vila Velha (ES), São Paulo (SP), and cities in Portugal and Spain.  

 

100 Years of Jazz – The Longest Improvisation in History  
Participated in the documentary, a tribute by the program Caminhos da Reportagem to jazz, aired on TV Brasil.  

 

Som do Vinil  
Appeared on the show presented by Charles Gavin, broadcast on Canal Brasil, in a special tribute to drummer Milton Banana. Vera composed and recorded a piece dedicated to him, Mr. Banana, included in the album Vera Cruz Island.  

 

SESC Jazz  
Alongside Arismar do Espírito Santo and Robertinho Silva, Vera Figueiredo discussed the connections between American jazz and Afro-Brazilian music.  

 

Duets  
A project by Celso de Almeida, featuring guest drummers performing samba with their unique styles.  

 

70 Years of Drummer Duda Neves  
Special guest at the iconic concert celebrating the 70th birthday of drummer Duda Neves at SESC Belenzinho (SP).


LIVES

Vera has participated in masterclasses, podcasts, and interviews through various live sessions in national and international projects, including:  

 

  • Iº PercuFest Latinoamérica – International Drum and Percussion Festival  
  • Guia das Mãos  
  • FestRio | Women in Drums and Percussion  
  • TV Maldita | "Lugar de mulher é onde ela quiser"  
  • Sabian Education Network Roundtable, hosted by Joe Bergamini  
  • All Access | Mapex Artist Interview, hosted by Dom Famularo  
  • MIB - Música Instrumental Brasileira, hosted by Derico Sciotti

 

AND MORE....

 

  • Presented a drum workshop at Palhoça Drum Fest (SC), held at Praça do Espelho D’Água, with over 150 drummers participating.  
  • Official drummer at one edition of FESCC - Festival de Corais de Catanduva, the largest choir festival in São Paulo state.  
  • Served as a judge for the BMG Instrumental Award (MG), the 3rd Brazilian Instrumental Music Award (SP), and twice for PASIC Italy. Also ambassador for Hit Like A Girl, one of the world’s most important competitions for women drummers.  
  • Alongside Sidiel Vieira and Amaro Freitas, mediated a listening session at SESC Jazz analyzing the historic Rio65Trio album, with pianist Dom Salvador joining online.  
  • Special guest of drummer and musical director Tito Oliveira at the I Encontro de Bateristas das Escolas de Música e Arte e Saber José Oliveira, during FLIPO - Feira Literária do Poeta, in Castro Alves (BA). Conducted a workshop for children and performed with a drum orchestra of about 30 kids.  
  • Appeared on the interview program Os Segredos on TV Braba, sharing her career journey and performing live.  
  • Participated in the 2nd Baterahy - Music Festival of Itajaí (SC), which gathered around 300 drummers.