Soul-baring, seafaring Celts who happened to be born in South America, Banda Taverna is Brazil’s premiere Celtic band. Playing iconic Celtic tunes and powered by rocket fuel, Banda Taverna impacts the crowd with high-energy stage dynamics, captivating 4-voice harmonies, and original arrangements that show incredible mastery of each of their instruments. Their rocking party session brings audiences of all ages to their feet and singing along.

Gustavo Fofão infuses the music with his fingerstyle guitar wizardry, and uses the stage as a percussion instrument. Multi-instrumentalist João Gabriel adds flutes, whistles, Uilleann pipes, banjo, mandolin, and whatever catches his eye next. Versatile fiddler Romulo Salobreña plays with a baroque orchestra by day, and unleashes his rock-n-roll soul with Taverna. Rafael Salobreña is the band’s secret weapon, driving the beat on his “punk rock” bodhran with a wink and a grin.

These musicians discovered Celtic music on TV shows and video games, and formed the band in 2012. Taverna quickly became the go-to band for Brazil’s best St. Patrick’s Day festivals. They began touring abroad internationally in 2018, performing at events major festivals in the United States, such as like the Utah Renaissance Fair, and the Spanish Peaks Celtic Festival; and, in Canada, the prestigious Highland Games in Canmore and Fergus.

In 2019, they released their first album, LIBERTAS, a collection of original and traditional tunes. Their 2nd LP is in the works for 2023, to be produced by the prestigious Sonastério label. Taverna also plans to return to Canada for many more tours, and Europe is in the works.

People don’t just listen to Banda Taverna. They fall in love! No one can resist these South American bards, whose passion, camaraderie, and warmth reveal the true Celtic spirit in all of us.