Lucas Santana draws inspiration from the Afro-Brazilian spiritual tradition of Candomblé, a powerful symbol of resilience and syncretism, born from the fusion of West and Central African beliefs with Catholicism during the era of the transatlantic slave trade.
His performance project, Candomblé, is built on four guiding pillars: Remember, Reflect, Acknowledge, and Celebrate. These themes serve as a compass for Santana’s musical storytelling, guiding the audience on a journey through the layered histories of South America—honoring the past, engaging with the present, and envisioning the future.
Through a tapestry of sound, Santana delves into the depth and diversity of the African diaspora in South America. At once a tribute and a testimony, his music becomes a space where memory meets rhythm, and sorrow gives way to joy. It is a celebration of life in all its richness, resilience, and complexity.
But Candomblé is more than a performance—it is a platform. For Santana, this project is an invitation to meaningful dialogue about culture, identity, and heritage. On stage, he sheds light on untold stories and opens space for connection and reflection, using music as both mirror and bridge.
Concerts
08-01-2025 – Den Bosh
09-01-2025 – Utrecht
11-01-2025 – Amsterdam
14-02-2025 – Rotterdam
27-03-2025 – Haarlem
22-05-2025 – Apeldoorn
12-10-2025 – Amsterdam
19-10-2025 – Enschede
Trumpet: Alvaro Artime Jimenez
Trumpet: Suzan Veneman
Trombone: Pablo Martinez
Alto Sax: Lucas Santana
Tenor Sax: Efraim Trujillo
Baritone Sax: Jessie Breve
Drums: Yoràn Vroom
Percussion 1: Yariv Vroom
Bass: Matheus Nicolayewsky
Piano: Timothy Banchet
Dance/Choreo: Ranny Lee Joy
Dance/Choreo Guilherme Duarte
Light Design: Miodrag Pipercic
The Brazilian saxophonist Lucas Figueiredo Santana is the first artist to begin working under the banner of JOC Productions, the new production house of the Jazz Orchestra of the Concertgebouw. Starting in January 2025, he will bring his project Candomblé to several concert halls across the Netherlands. With his ten-piece Grand Orquestra and two dancers, Santana presents new compositions that reflect on the rich and complex history of the African diaspora in Brazil.
Candomblé is made possible by JOC Productions, a new talent development program from the Jazz Orchestra of the Concertgebouw (JOC). JOC Productions offers young creators support in developing their own musical productions for a large ensemble, in collaboration with BIMHUIS, TivoliVredenburg, Podium Azijnfabriek, and the Wilminktheater. With this initiative, JOC Productions aims to create space for young (professional) musicians to explore their own artistic ideas and discover new directions.
JOC Productions is made possible with the support of: Fonds Podiumkunsten, Ministry of Education, Culture & Science, Amsterdam Fund for the Arts, and Stichting Dioraphte.
