Aline Morales

Singer, percussionist and composer, Aline Morales is a natural talent and a powerful presence on stage. Based in Toronto, Canada, she is presently preparing to record an album with her band: The Aline Morales Band. Aline made her debut as the charismatic leader of the afro-brazilian percussion troupe Marcatu Nunca Antes, who last year released their second CD “the Beat Migration”. She collaborates frequently with her sister Jabu Morales, and David Arcus, arranger and co-director of the Aline Morales Band. She recently recorded with Ritesh Das and the Toronto Tabla Ensemble on the soon to be released CD “Alankar".Born in Belo Horizonte, Brazil, her introduction to Afro-Brazilian rhythms began in her early teens with capoeira. In her group, Raizes Cordão de Ouro, she distinguished herself as an able musician, singer, and a dancer in maculelê choreographies. Early in 1999, percussionists Lenis Rino & Eder ‘O’ Rocha introduced her to the rhythms of maracatu. Aline has played several carnivals in the traditional Marcatu Nação Estrela Brilhante do Recife, under the tutelage of Mestre Walter.In BH she was also a key member of Elefante Groove, a groundbreaking percussive orchestra. As a member of Elefante Groove, Aline played alfaia and opened shows for, among others, Jorge Ben Jor, Manu Chow, Otto, and Mundo Livre S/A. Her artistic career also includes performances with the circus group Trampulin and Spasso Escola Popular de Circo, both as a musician and site animator.In mid 2002, Aline moved to Toronto and has kept herself busy as a working artist. She has worked and collaborated with Rick Lazar, director of Samba Squad and the Montuno Police, Gordon Sheard, Luanda Jones, master sambista Maninho Costa,and percussionist Allan Hetherington from Tasa and the Escola de Samba de Toronto. She also has worked with West African drum teachers Amara Kante and Mamady Keita. She has been the recipient of grants from the OAC, TAC and CCA.