Cyro Baptista, a percussionist from Brazil who arrived in the U.S.A in 1980, has been a prominent figure in American music. Cyro has recorded and toured with many of the most well-known names in music. Cyro’s mastery in Brazilian percussion, and his many instruments that he makes himself, has made him a world-renowned musician. Cyro’s own percussion and dance group, “Beat the Donkey”, allows him to unleash his creativity. He mixes his musical talents, natural humor, and theatrical skills with instruments from Brazil and the Middle East, Indonesia and Africa. Cyro’s credits are like a “Who’s Who?” of contemporary music. He toured extensively with Yo Yo Ma’s Brazil Project, Trey Anastasio’s Band (of Phish), John Zorn’s Electric Masada and Herbie Hancock’s Grammy-winning “Gershwin’s World”, Sting, and Paul Simon’s” Rhythm of the Saints. Cyro Baptista has recorded and performed with many artists, including Kathleen Battle, Gato Barbieri (of Phish), Dr. John, Brian Eno. Ryuichi Sakamoto. Robert Palmer. Melissa Etheridge. Laurie Anderson. John Zorn. Carly Simon. Michael Tilson Thomas. Daniel Barenboin. Bobby McFerrin. Wynton Marsalis. Yo-Yo-Ma. Medeski Martin.
