Draft:Tunas Celtic Band

The Tunas Celtic Band is a prominent group of Celtic and Folk music based in São Paulo city, Brazil. It was formed in 2009 as an initiative of multi-instrumentalist Rik Dias for bringing trad music out of the sessions he had been hosting at the Olivo Bar into a more institutional and commercial scenario of schools and pubs. The band's influences range from traditional Irish and Scottish music to americana and bluegrass and while they play tunes and songs in those traditions, they also compose within a more mixed contemporary style, with lyrics in both English and Portuguese.

The band has been active in different formations throughout the years, having performed at varied venues like theaters, schools, pubs, festivals like Odin's Krieger, medieval reenactments, tv, radio, official St.Patrick's Day celebrations, consulate events, etc. The band stands as one of the few in the genre to remain ongoingly active in Brazil since its creation.

CURRENT MEMBERS

 * Rik Dias (founder) - Fiddle/Mandolin/Voice;
 * Marcus Disessa - Whistles/Voice;
 * Rafael "Ruanitto" Gomes - Guitars/Bouzouki;
 * Vinas Peixoto - Percussion/Drums.

FORMER MEMBERS

 * Gustavo "Big" Simão - Guitars/voice; Felipe Junqueira - bouzouki; Rodrigo Battello - guitars/voice; Paulo Tonella - dobro; Mila Maia - flute; Rodrigo Almeida - bodhran; Tiago Connall - bodhran; Gustavo Lobão - bodhran; Danny Littwin - guitars;