Hamilton de Holanda

Hamilton de Holanda is a Brazilian mandolinist and composer celebrated for revolutionizing the ten-string bandolim, an instrument he has pushed far beyond its traditional role in Brazilian choro music. Born in 1976 and active as a performer since 1981, he emerged as a child prodigy and grew into one of the most inventive voices in contemporary Brazilian instrumental music, blending choro with jazz and música popular brasileira to create a sound that is both deeply rooted in tradition and strikingly modern.

Throughout his career, de Holanda has built a reputation as a virtuoso improviser and a tireless collaborator, performing alongside artists across jazz, classical, and world music scenes. His playing is marked by lightning-fast technique, melodic warmth, and a willingness to stretch the bandolim's expressive range, making him a key figure in bringing Brazilian string music to international audiences. As a composer and educator, he has also worked to pass on and expand the choro tradition for new generations of musicians.