Mario Caribe

Born in Sao Paulo-Brazil, Mario moved to Scotland for studies, where was invited to join the Tommy Smith Sextet Beasts of Scotland, and later, the Scottish National Jazz Orchestra. He has played with many of the leading jazz musicians in the U.K such as: Tommy Smith, Kenny Wheeler, Carol Kidd, Norma Winston, Louise Gibson, Suzanne Bonnar, Phil Bancroft, Andy Panaiy, Tom Bancroft, Jamie Anderson, Brian Kellock, Steve Hamilton, John Rae, Clark Tracey, Tom Gordon, Jason Rebello, Gene Calderazzo, Kevin McKenzie, Alex Yellowlees, Nigel Clark, Malcom MacFarlane, Paul Harrison, Paddy Flaherty, Dave Milligan, Guy Barker, Eddie Severn, Gerard Presencer, Colin Steele, Andor Jensen, Claude Deppa, Dominic Alldis and Adam Glasser among others. He has also played with leading North American artists such as Bobby Watson, Scott Hamilton, Joe Locke, Valery Ponomarev and Madeline Eastman.

Mario is also involved in Jazz Education, having done several workshops about Latin American Music throughout Scotland. He also taught at the National Youth Jazz Orchestra of Scotland Summer Course 1999, The Napier Jazz Summer Course 1999 and Dundee Play Jazz. He is currently involved with the The Scottish National Jazz Orchestra, John Rae’s ‘Celtic Feet‘, the Paul Harrison Trio, the John Burgess Quartet, Carlos Pena Y Sus Muchachos, Brazilliance, Laura McDonald Quartet, Eddie Severn Quintet, Martin Kershaw Quartet, Tom McNiven Quartet as well as working on his own projects.

Press Reviews:

‘ …I heard about Mario long before I met him. His reputation as a double bass player in Edinburgh’s Jazz scene preceded him.’ John Donoghue – The Scottish Bass Trust Bulletin

‘…Brian Kellock, Mario Caribe and John Rae understood precisely how to provide the right level of rhythmic propulsion.’ Kenny Mathieson – The Scotsman

‘…warmed up only by bassist Mario Caribe’s ‘Venus’. The band’s Brazilian bassist filled his piece with Latin rhythmic warmth and Brian Kellock’s piano bracketed punching horns, a warm wave lapping the stark edges of a frozen night.’ Bob Flynn – The Scotsman

‘…also threw up a wonderful three-way interplay from the rhythm section around Mario Caribe’s bass solo.’ Kenny Mathieson – The Scotsman

‘…The Paul Harrison Trio… and served up an energised set of post-Coltrane jazz which confirmed the growing stature not only of the pianist, but also his collaborators, bassist Mario Caribe and drummer Paddy Flaherty.’ Kenny Mathieson – The Scotsman

‘Carlos Pena Y Sus Muchachos are performing in The Vineyard… these salsa kings will mix original compositions with classic material by New York Stars like Johny Pacheco, and Fania All Stars… other members of the orchestra include Brazilian bass maestro Mario Caribe and pianist Paul Harrison, Scottish Young Jazz Musician of the Year.’ Martin Claffey – The Examiner (Ireland)

‘…the Institute gave out it’s first scholarship – to a Brazilian bassist Mario Caribe, who saw an add for the institute while on holiday in Glasgow during the Jazz Festival. He applied, was accepted, moved his family to Scotland… and is currently gigging as well as holding down the bass chair in Smith’s Beasts of Scotland Sextet. Scholarships are not given out lightly either… so Caribe is an exceptional case. His is also an example to budding students.’ Rob Adams – The Herald