WELCOME ABOARD OUR SPACESHIP
We are Banda Terráquea, a global social-musical movement rooted in Bahia, Brazil, and directly connected to the world. We believe that music is a vital energy inherent to every human being, and we utilize it as an active tool for transformation. Our mission extends far beyond the stage: we were born to unite cultures, advocate for the planet’s health, and democratize access to world-class music education.
Our Sonic Identity
The musicality of Banda Terráquea reflects a profound intersection of the African Diaspora with the universality of sound. Our repertoire fuses the pulse and ancestral heritage of Afro-Brazilian rhythms with the soul and sophistication of Rhythm and Blues (R&B), Blues, Jazz, and Rock.
Out of this fusion, we have crafted a singular style—Brazilian Rhythm & Blues with an Afro-Bahian soul—resulting in a highly physical, vibrant sound packed with conscious messages. This identity is brilliantly showcased both in our original studio albums (such as the acclaimed Spaceship Earth) and in our powerful live reinterpretations.
The Founder: Lon Bové & The International Connection
The foundational pillars of our journey were laid by American guitarist, lead vocalist, songwriter, and educator Lon Bové. Born on the banks of the Ohio River in Cincinnati, Ohio—the historic cradle of Blues and Soul traditions—and raised within the rich cultural scene of Boulder, Colorado, Lon brings an immense international background. He earned 9 Grammy nominations for his emblematic album M.O.T.H., including nods for Album of the Year and Best Contemporary Blues Album.
Based for decades in Salvador, Bahia, Lon Bové built a definitive cultural bridge. He gathered seasoned professionals, rising young talents, and local artistic collaborators to breathe life into Banda Terráquea. The project has consolidated itself as a family and community legacy, currently featuring on stage and in the studio his son, vocalist and multi-instrumentalist Gabriel Bové, alongside standout voices of contemporary music, such as leading vocalist Janis Dominique.
The Radio Terra Project: Music Education Without Borders
We do not exist merely to play chords; we exist to build global citizenship. Banda Terráquea operates in full integration with our social branches: PROJETO RÁDIO TERRA in Brazil, and RADIO TERRA PROJECT in the United States.
Created to combat inequality in cultural access, the organization provides 100% tuition-free music education to students of all ages, with a dedicated focus on youth from public school systems and historically underserved communities.
Our Tuition-Free Masterclasses & Curriculum
Through our digital platforms and immersive, in-person community workshops (such as those hosted at the cultural hub Casa Rosa in Salvador), our own touring musicians serve as master instructors. We teach a comprehensive curriculum spanning multiple disciplines:
Strings & Harmony: Acoustic and Electric Guitar (utilizing practical methodologies such as the CAGED System and applied Blues scales).
Rhythm & Pulse: Drums and Traditional Afro-Bahian Percussion.
Horns & Expression: Harmonica, Saxophone, Trumpet, and Trombone.
Voice & Performance: Comprehensive Vocal Coaching and technique workshops.
Our official channels function as interactive, virtual classrooms, connecting practical, hands-on learning with a curated repertoire that bridges international classics with Brazilian Popular Music (MPB).
Our Socio-Environmental Commitment
The name “Terráquea” (Earthlings) is no accident. The ensemble actively integrates into a global action network focused on environmental awareness and sustainability. We firmly believe that the health of the Earth and the well-being of its inhabitants walk hand in hand.
Through our signature concerts and festivals, such as Planeta VerDE Perto and the VERDEnovo series, we pair live music with immersive visual experiences and fundraising drives for partner institutions. Our lyrics challenge conventional thinking, celebrate life, and passionately broadcast messages of ecological preservation.
Our Mission, Vision, and Core Values
Mission: To utilize the universal language of music as a vehicle for social inclusion, free cultural education, and global socio-environmental engagement.
Vision: To expand the network of The Radio Terra Project, establishing it as a benchmark for open-access online music pedagogy, connecting Brazil’s rich cultural plurality with the world.
Core Values: Cultural diversity, Afro-Brazilian ancestral heritage, artistic excellence, community solidarity, and ecological responsibility.
Here, diverse voices, different languages, and distinct realities meet and understand one another perfectly. We are the Terráqueos.
