Brazilian Forro | Blumenau, SC, Brasil
Despite his young age of 25, accordionist Felipe Hostins has been thrilling audiences for over a decade. He began music studies at the age of three with his paternal grandfather, Valmor Hostins. He later joined the School of Music Amormega (Middle Garcia Neighborhood Association), in his hometown of Blumenau, Santa Catarina (SC) where he studied music theory of the accordion for 4 years. After the death of his grandfather in 2004, Hostins spent a year away from studies and his instrument. He returned in 2005 at the invitation to join the Brazilian alternative rock band called La Belle Excuse, recording an album of the same name. 2005 also brought about the creation of a new project-forró (traditional Brazilian music that originated in the northeast of the country); in collaboration with the percussionist Leco Santos and singer/composer Pochyua Andrade.
Hostins has toured and recorded in Brazil with some of the greats; Paraná (Chico Rey & Paraná), João Lucas e Marcelo, Téo & Edu, Marciano (João Mineiro e Marciano), Padre Fábio de Melo, Guilherme e Santiago, to name a few. It was only in 2015 that Hostins moved to the US, and thus began his international career. His collaborations in the US include numerous projects with artists such as Forró in the Dark, Richard Bona, Davi Vieira, Lucy Alves, Jorge Drexler, Kevin Johansen, Cyro Baptista, Gustavo Di Dalva, Lorenzo Jovanotti, Flávia Bittencourt, among others.
Not only a performing artist, Hostins is a natural composer and currently finishing his first original album, Origins, with collaborations of artists around the globe. He co-created the duo Forrópera with mezzo-soprano Chrystal E. Williams. Forrópera is an original project combining Brazilian and Classical music in hopes of making music for everyone and bringing about unity through music.
Though Forró, Sertanejo, Música Gaucha and Chamamé are Hostins’ specialties, his genius on the accordion knows no bounds. He is known for ‘having an entire orchestra in his accordion’, and can be found bringing music to all through all genres of music; including country, jazz, bossa nova, classical, world, electronica, and much more!