uno olive

Nuno Oliveira is a Portuguese multi‑instrumentalist based in Sarzana, Italy since 2018. Rooted in West African musical traditions, he blends kora, balafon, djembe, dunun and handcrafted acoustic instruments with ambient soundscapes and contemporary sound design, creating organic and immersive sonic environments.

His musical journey began in 2004 through Tam Tam Mandingue Portugal, where he studied djembé, dununs and krin for five years. He later performed with the Costa de Prata samba school and joined the Allatantou Dance Company as a percussionist and trainer, working closely with master musicians from West Africa. In 2013, Nuno began studying the kora under Gambian musician Mbye Ebrima, leading to collaborations with the Yawal project and KorestrA.

Today, Nuno’s work moves between performance, composition and teaching. He performs in multidisciplinary projects, composes original soundtracks for cinema, theatre and dance, and teaches African percussion and introductory kora. His artistic approach is shaped by a deep respect for tradition, a hands‑on relationship with instrument crafting, and a unique blend of acoustic timbres and atmospheric textures.

He also creates meditative acoustic environments using instruments such as Tibetan bowls, focusing on resonance, listening and sonic presence.

Nuno is currently expanding his skills through ongoing audio‑production studies, exploring new ways to merge acoustic instruments with modern sound design.

For collaborations, commissions or lessons, feel free to reach out or explore his latest works.