Marcelo Rocha
Marcelo Rocha is a professional Bahian bassist whose career, built primarily in Salvador, is defined by his versatility across reggae, Brazilian music, rock, samba-rock, and other Black musical styles. With over two decades of professional experience, he has built an extensive background in bands, studio recordings, international tours, and original artist projects.
Deeply embedded in the Bahian scene, Marcelo has collaborated with various projects and musicians, developing a reputation for seamlessly transitioning between styles. His background spans heavy roots reggae, Brazilian popular music, and Salvador’s instrumental scene.
Within Banda Terráquea, led by Lon Bové, Marcelo holds down the bass, anchoring a lineup that brings together musicians from diverse generations and backgrounds. His role is fundamental in establishing the rhythmic and harmonic foundation for the group, which masterfully blends blues, soul, jazz, and Rhythm & Blues with Afro-Brazilian musical elements.
Marcelo has performed in several of Terráquea’s major concerts, including ‘Samba & Blues’ in 2024—featuring a special collaboration with the iconic As Ganhadeiras de Itapuã—and ‘Vozes da Terra’ in 2025. Throughout these projects, he shared the stage with Lon Bové, Gabriel Bové, Victor Brasil, Isaías Rabelo, Luiz Rocha, and other band members.
In 2026, Marcelo continues as a core member of Banda Terráquea’s lineup alongside Lon Bové, Gabriel Bové, Victor Brasil, Isaías Rabelo, Luiz Rocha, Ivanzinho Pacapuco, and Janis Dominique. The band remains dedicated to deepening their signature mission: connecting North American blues and Black music with the rich rhythmic and cultural traditions of Bahia.
Beyond his work with Terráquea, Marcelo remains highly active in the music industry. Recent highlights include his work with Bokagroove, backing JP Castelhano’s project, which fuses samba-rock, reggae, and Brazilian grooves with international influences.
One of the major milestones in his career was his time with Manospreto, a project formed by the Rocha brothers dedicated to reggae and Black roots music. Marcelo joined the group alongside Serginho Rocha and Jair Rocha during a period of extensive national touring. The band shared the stage with global reggae icons such as SOJA, Groundation, Don Carlos, and Max Romeo, as well as prominent Brazilian artists like Natiruts, Mato Seco, and Leões de Israel. Marcelo also embarked on tours spanning multiple Brazilian cities and countries like Angola and Portugal—experiences that deeply enriched his connection to diverse Black musical traditions.