Daniel Baeder

Daniel Baeder is a Brazilian drummer, composer, arranger, music producer, audio engineer and musical director based in Tokyo, Japan. With more than three decades of professional experience, his career spans Brazilian popular music, jazz, fusion, contemporary music production and international live entertainment.

Beginning his musical journey on piano at the age of four and performing professionally on drums from an early age, Daniel developed a versatile musical identity shaped by composition, improvisation, recording and performance. His career in Brazil included work with the progressive rock band O Terço and a wide range of artists and musical productions.

From 2009 to 2017, Daniel was part of Cirque du Soleil's OVO, performing internationally as a drummer and later serving as Band Musical Director. This eight-year experience became a defining chapter of his career, combining demanding live performance with large-scale international touring.

After relocating to Japan in 2017, Daniel established his Tokyo-based Manda Studio and became an active presence in the country's jazz, Brazilian music and contemporary music scenes.

His performances and collaborations include Lisa Ono, Chihiro Yamanaka, Roberto Menescal, Theo Bial, HIMI, Marty Holoubek, dip in the pool, Makoto Kuriya, Miho Nakada and Marcelo Kimura, alongside numerous international and Japan-based musicians.

With pianist Chihiro Yamanaka, Daniel has appeared at Blue Note Tokyo, Billboard Live Osaka and Cotton Club, including special performances featuring Mariana, Rei, Kaori Muraji and Naoko Terai.

His work with Lisa Ono has included international touring and recording projects, as well as performances alongside bossa nova pioneer Roberto Menescal.

Other notable appearances include Blue Note Place performances with HIMI and Marty Holoubek, and live performances with the Japanese electronic music project dip in the pool.

Beyond the stage, Daniel works as a recording and mixing engineer, arranger, multi-instrumentalist and producer.

His Japanese recording and production work includes projects involving Marcelo Kimura, Samm Bennett, Rio Quartet and other independent artists. He has also developed musical projects such as Mandacarinho Orquestra, De Paulo Trio and Zenbu Trio.

In 2018, Daniel began developing Ongakujin (音楽人), an audiovisual project exploring the remarkable connection between Japanese musicians and Brazilian music. Released as an online series beginning in 2021, it reflects his ongoing interest in cultural exchange through music.

Daniel is also an educator, sharing his professional experience with students at Osaka School of Music and Tokyo School of Music.

His creative activities continue to expand through original compositions, recordings, audiovisual productions and interactive livestream performances.

Through Manda Studio and his project Your Story, My Music, Daniel explores the relationship between human stories, creativity and technology, bringing together his experience as a performer, composer and producer.

Throughout his career, one principle has remained constant: music is not defined by borders or genres, but by the human connections it creates.