Born in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, Duduka began playing the drums at the age of thirteen....

“Duduka is a fantastic drummer, he has worked with me and I love the way he plays.” - Antonio Carlos Jobim, Rio de Janeiro, Spring 94

"Another band that played five times (Umbria Jazz Winter # 16) was a sextet led by drummer Duduka Da Fonseca. All the members are from Brazil (trumpeter Claudio Roditi, guitarist Guilherme Monteiro, pianist Helio Alves, bassist Leonardo Cioglia) except for the reed player whom Da Fonseca introduced as “Anat Cohen, from Tel Aviv, Brazil.” What is special about this band’s version of “samba jazz” is that Da Fonseca’s drumming makes the samba so powerful and authentic, and world-class soloists like Alves and Roditi and Cohen light the jazz on fire." - Thomas Conrad, All About Jazz

Born in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, Duduka began playing the drums at the age of thirteen. By fifteen he was appearing on television, performing and recording with top Brazilian musicians. In 1975 he moved to New York City establishing numerous Brazilian Jazz groups, reviving the movement of Samba Jazz. One of his groups Brazilian Express appeared on a National PBS Television special. The New York Samba Band performed at the Blue Note, Fat Tuesday’s, The Village Gate among many other clubs in the United States. He also formed The Brazilian Jazz All Stars that featured artists Bob Mintzer, Eliane Elias and Randy Brecker.

Duduka is the founding member and co-leader of Trio da Paz, nominated as the best New Latin Jazz Group of 1993 and winner of the Jazz Journalist Association awards for the best Brazilian Jazz album of 2002 (Partido Out). Duduka has recorded on over 200 albums and performed with artists such as: Antonio Carlos Jobim, Dom Salvador, Astrud Gilberto, Herbie Mann, Claudio Roditi, Joanne Brackeen, Eddie Gomez, John Scofield, Lee Konitz, Joe Henderson, Gerry Mulligan, Jorge Dalto, Mário Adnet, Paulo Jobim, Phil Woods, Jacques Morelenbaum, Toshiko Akiyoshi, Emily Remler, Nana Vasconcelos, Nancy Wilson, Slide Hampton, Kenny Barron, Tom Harrell, amongst many others.

From 1984 to 1999 Duduka was a member of the faculty at the Drummer’s Collective in NYC conducting workshops and private lessons. He has also conducted workshops in Europe, Asia and Brazil. Duduka is the author of the best seller instructional book and CD, “Brazilian Rhythms for Drumset” published by Manhattan Music/Warner Bros. Publications.

In 2002 Duduka’s first solo album “Samba Jazz Fantasia”(Anzic) was nominated for the 45th GRAMMY® for Best Latin Jazz Album. Duduka ‘s latest solo album is with his currently working quintet and it’s called “Samba Jazz in Black & White” (Zoho).