Collaborating Artists

Jeff Busch is an exuberant drummer/percussionist, vocalist, and composer whose passion for soulful music of varied traditions has led him to perform with jazz, blues, and gospel groups--as well as calypso, samba, and Cuban jazz ensembles. Between 1988-96, Jeff studied fine art, and music in Leeds, England. He studied percussion and drum set with Dave Hassel, calypso with steel drum master Dudley Nesbitt, and later Brazilian percussion with Jesse Bannister.

In 1997, Jeff spent six months in Brazil and studied with a variety of percussionists including Edmilson Costa Teixeira, Gilo do Pandeiro, and Mestres Memeu and Lazaro from Olodum. In 1998 Jeff returned to Brazil and had the opportunity to play and perform with the Jovino Santos Neto group which included drummer Marcio Bahia, bassist Arismar do Espirito Santo, and saxophonist Hans Teuber.

Currently Jeff performs with a variety of groups in the Seattle area including the Jovino Santos Neto quinteto; Cuban jazz groups Rumba Abierta, and Tumbao led by pianist Julio Jauregui; and Cuban dance band Mango Son, led by Roberto Sanchez. His Brazilian band, Batuque, frequently provides live music for Tudo Beleza performances.

For more information visit Jeff Busch’s website.

Pacifico Francisco hails from São Paulo, Brazil. He began dancing in 1972, in various samba schools in his native city. He later began studying capoeira with Mestre Bandeira, and by 1974 was himself recognized as a capoeira Mestre.

In 2000, Pacifico moved to Seattle where he has been playing pandeiro, performing capoeira and teaching samba ever since. His high energy samba brings an extra flair to any performance!

 

 

Laura Gilbert-Costa, was a founding member of Tudo Beleza and the company's Artistic Director and Choreographer for its first year. Having recently moved to Southern California, she is now a collaborating guest artist. Laura holds a BFA in dance from Seattle's Cornish College of the Arts and has over 15 years experience in the dance field.  

In 2005, after two years professionally performing and choreographing modern dance in New York, Laura shifted her focus to the art of Capoeira Angola and Brazilian Samba.  She studied Samba with Rio de Janeiro native, Quenia Ribeiro. 

By the end of 2005 Laura relocated to Brazil to learn more about Brazilian arts and culture, and quickly found herself performing, teaching, volunteering and falling in love in Bahia, Brazil.  Laura returned to California in 2006 and started performing with Samba da Terra under the artistic direction of Salvador native, Marta Santos.  In April 2007 Laura placed 3rd runner up in the San Francisco Carnaval King & Queen Competition. Laura is currently the new 2nd Princesa da Bateria for SambaLá Samba School in Long Beach, CA.
 

DJ Gringo Starr (aka Justin Cayou) was born and raised in Seattle and grew up skateboarding, playing soccer and jammin' with friends. He first travelled to Brazil in 2000 and has returned may times...eventually deciding to live there in 2005-06. Justin played bass in the bands Quasi Nada and Forgotten Sol. He began djing around 5 years ago and is now djing at Seattle's premier Brazilian party "Brazil Beats".