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Brazilian Percussion Virtuoso Gilmar Gomes Releases Debut Album 11:11
Recorded at Alacran Studios Miami with special guests Edmar Castañeda, Munir Hossn, Han Beyli, Magela Herrera and more; Executive Producer Severina Yotova
After more than two decades on the world’s biggest stages—most notably 24 years touring with Enrique Iglesias—Brazilian percussionist Gilmar Gomes steps into the spotlight with his first solo album, 11:11, a sweeping, Afro-Brazilian fusion journey crafted over four years and recorded at Alacran Studios Miami.
11:11 captures Gomes’ unmistakable blend of Bahia-rooted percussion with global pop sophistication—“a Brazilian Sting” in spirit—while expanding the palette of modern world music. The album features contributions from acclaimed collaborators including Latin Grammy–nominated harp legend Edmar Castañeda (Colombia), multi-instrumentalist Munir Hossn (Brazil), bassist Han Beyli (Azarbeijan), and flutist Magela Herrera (Cuba), among others.
A sonic expedition: 75+ instruments and fearless textures
Across its 11 tracks—a number deeply meaningful to Gomes due to it’s numerological power to amplify creative thoughts—11:11 showcases more than 75 different percussion instruments, including Gilmar’s acoustic guitar used as a percussive instrument. Ever the explorer, Gomes also captured a bowl of water (on “Barquinho”) and even a plastic bag as an atmospheric effect on another track. The project began as a live music concept in Miami and evolved into an expansive studio statement, honoring tradition while pushing boundaries.
Crafted by an elite studio team
Gomes wrote, composed, and produced every song, working closely in the studio with Carlos Pérez D’Anda (music producer, audio engineer, A&R; credits include Luis Enrique, Alicia Keys, Beyoncé). Mixing was helmed by Pablo DeLaLoza – also co-producer on Flying Around, mixing engineer for Enrique Iglesias, Yahir and many other Latin artists, Eddie “El Brujo” Caipo (live monitor engineer for Gwen Stefani, Enrique Iglesias, Christina Aguilera, Matchbox Twenty, Seal, Tears for Fears) and Latin Grammy–nominated Isabel Rodríguez Siblesz, among others.
Track highlights
- “Cantador” — The album’s powerful opener, setting the narrative of a life led in rhythm and story.
- “Colorir” (focus track; lyrics in Portuguese) — A radiant, percussive pop anthem that embodies the album’s heart; rich Brazilian backing vocals lift the hook sky-high.
- “Flying Around” & “Estrela B.” — A surprising, open-road Americana feel refracted through Afro-Brazilian rhythm.
- “Lado a Lado” — Features Joe Messa offering a moving prayer in Hebrew, weaving intimacy into a widescreen arrangement.
- “Barquinho” — A textural showpiece with Munir Hossn and Edmar Castañeda, where harp, strings, and inventive percussion (including that water bowl) shimmer together.
Artist statement
“So, here it is, 11:11. When you listen to this album, you’re really hearing the soundtrack of my life. I’ve poured my heart and soul into these eleven songs, and each one is a piece of my journey. It’s all those moments of dedication, the hours of practice, the inspirations I’ve gathered from everyone I’ve met on stage and off stage.
This album is really personal to me, and I just want you to know that when you press play, you’re stepping into my world. It’s about how I worked to shape these sounds into exactly what I believe they should be. And I really hope you can feel that care and love in every track. This is Bahia’s heartbeat meeting the world. I wanted to paint with rhythm: These songs are colors of who I am.”
From the Executive Producer
“Gilmar has been working with legends his entire life. And now he is the legend,” says Severina Yotova, Executive Producer and Gomes’ longtime manager. “We built 11:11 like a cinematic universe of percussion and vocal and recorded some of the most talented musicians who added magic to his signature sound – raw, intimate, and deeply Brazilian. This is a body of work that deserves attention and celebration, music always wins.”
About Gilmar Gomes
Gilmar Gomes is a percussionist, multi-instrumentalist and solo artist. Born in Bahia, Brazil, traveled and toured the world, loves and lives in Miami. Singer-songwriter, international recording artist, producer, and Visual Artist. He has been a member of Enrique Iglesias’ touring and recording band since 2001 taking a crucial role in the popstar’s live performances. Gomes has also toured and recorded extensively with wide-ranging artists and bands in the likes of Harry Belafonte, Shakira, Rihanna, Meshell Ndegeocello, Richard Bona, Jovanotti, Gilberto Gil, Daniela Mercury, Angélique Kidjo, Esperanza Spalding, and Yerba Buena. Gilmar Gomes brings Brazilian samba, salsa, Afro-Cuban influences, roots sounds and world music with eclectic vibes and cross-cultural collaborations.