In addition to his work as an artist-composer,
Rodrigo also maintains a parallel career as an accompanying musician on multiple projects,
always in the fields of Latin and Brazilian music.
Forró de Lá
Choro de Quintal
Sal de Calle
Sambandorinha
Duo Rio 1910
Daniel Bellegarde
Forró de Lá is a Montreal-based band dedicated to forró music, a cultural expression originating from northeastern Brazil. The group is composed of multi-instrumentalist Lara Klaus (zabumba and vocals), originally from Recife, as well as Rodrigo Simões (guitar and vocals), Gabriel Schwartz (flute, percussion, and vocals), and Dominique Poirier (accordion). Together, they bring a Brazilian touch to Montreal, offering a festive and immersive experience to the audience.
The group has already performed in iconic venues such as Club Balattou, Quai des Brumes and the Nuits d'Afrique Festival, sharing their passion for forró with an ever-growing audience.
The Trio Choro de Quintal is a Montreal-based group specializing in choro, a Brazilian instrumental musical genre with European and African influences. The trio is composed of Gabriel Schwartz (flute and pandeiro), Dominique Poirier (accordion), and Rodrigo Simões (seven-string guitar). Passionate about the transmission of Brazilian musical heritage, they combine heritage music with musical research, exploring the roots of choro in the 19th century while adding their own contemporary touch.
The trio organizes a monthly evening at La Brasée (Montreal) dedicated to the style where all musicians can experience the famous "Roda de Choro".
Sal de Calle is a musical collective that fuses Afro-Cuban roots (son, rumba, sacred music) with the energy of jazz. Bringing together artists from Cuba, Brazil, Venezuela, Colombia, France, and Canada, the ensemble combines song, percussion, and improvisation to create vibrant music that is both danceable and instrumental. This diversity creates a festive and danceable music, emphasizing improvisation and interplay between instruments. The group is composed of Dennys Espinosa (timpani), Freddy "El Pulpo" (congas), Mathieu Duval (cajon, bongos), Rodrigo Simões (tres cubano), Stéphan Krims (bass), and Maria Jimenez (vocals).
The group has already performed in iconic venues such as Club Balattou, La Petite Marche and at the Nuits d'Afrique Festival.
Sambandorinha is a Montreal-based group dedicated to Brazilian popular music (BPM). Their repertoire, composed of great samba classics, transports the audience into a musical experience that is both authentic and vibrant.
The group has performed in several iconic Montreal venues, including the Cabaret Lion d'Or, where they have performed their now-famous tribute to Elis Regina on several occasions. They also host samba evenings, sharing the energy and richness of Brazilian music with passion.
Duo Rio 1910 is dedicated to instrumental music arranged for guitar. Composed of Rodrigo Simões (bandolim) and André Galamba (classical guitar), two experienced Brazilian musicians, they perform a repertoire of Latin music classics from Argentina to Cuba.
With SAMS (Society for the Arts in Healthcare Settings), the duo has been offering an educational concert on the history of Brazilian music since 2016, tracing the evolution of styles and influences that have shaped this music over the centuries. This educational project allows the public to better understand the roots and diversity of Brazilian sounds.
Daniel Bellegarde and his group are dedicated to researching and promoting the heritage music of the French-speaking Caribbean. They explore the rich traditions of Haiti, the Antilles, Martinique, Guadeloupe, and Dominica. Their diverse repertoire includes styles such as the troubadour, quadrille, contredanse, tumba francesa, and many others.