Musical Exchange Brings Together MIT Musicians and Amazonian Artists in Manaus
Over 75 musicians and researchers from the prestigious Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) are participating in a cultural and scientific exchange in Manaus, focusing on music, technology, and rhythms of the Amazon. The initiative, which runs until March 31, offers a series of activities with local artists and addresses the importance of sustainable development and the fight against climate crisis.
The program includes meetings with indigenous musicians, such as singer Djuena Tikuna, Grammy-nominated composers, and the Amazonas Jazz Band. Activities will culminate in a performance at the Amazonas Theater, led by MIT musicians and featuring guest artists such as Brazilian singer Luciana Souza, American clarinetist Anat Cohen, Grammy-winning drummer Edu Ribeiro, percussionist Vinicius Barros, and 10 local musicians.
The exchange is part of the project “Hearing Amazônia – The Responsibility of Existence,” which brought together MIT musicians in 2021 in a program focused on Brazilian music. In addition to discussing the cultural and economic sustainability of the Amazon, the project includes visits to the Amazon Museum (MUSA), Amazonas Theater, National Institute of Amazonian Research (INPA), Amazon Biotechnology Center (CBA), and meetings with the Noble Academy of Robotics, among others.
The closing performance, “Hearing Amazônia: Art is Resistance,” will take place on March 31 at 8 pm at the Amazonas Theater, with free admission. The repertoire includes compositions by Tom Jobim, Baden Powell, Chiquinha Gonzaga, Anat Cohen, and Evan Ziporyn. The event also marks the launch of the project “We Are The Forest” by singer Djuena Tikuna and will feature special guest indigenous activist José Neto, of the Kaeté-Tupinambá people.
The organization of the immersion is coordinated by IAI Promoções, which has been working on the logistics and preparation of the event for over six months, including the development of exclusive menus, welcoming actions, and security structure.
