Iniciated into candomblé at 8 years of age as Ogã de Xangô, Léo Leobons has rhythm in his veins. Today, he is the most accomplished Brazilian authority on afro-cuban folklore, having contributed to the education of a whole generation of percussionists from Rio de Janeiro. He has worked with everyone from Azymuth and Nando Reis to Pedro Luís e a Parede and Lucas Santtana to Ramiro Musotto and Mongo Santamaría, Tito Puente and Eddie Palmieri. His work has appears in films, documentaries, radio programs and television in Brazil and around the world.

Full of rich collaborations with brilliant musicians from across the spectrum of current and traditional musics in Brazil, his new album, “Ritual,” brings all of his experience together into one cohesive whole, traversing and combining Afro-Brazilian and Afro-Cuban traditions into one seamless and organic package.