Led by Greek-born singer, film scorer, and composer Magda Giannikou, Banda Magda move from samba to jazz manouche, from Greek dance rhythms to samba beats. Their songs, sung in French (with forays into six other languages), hearken back to the golden age of Brazilian bossa, the best of cinematic arranging, and the lush chic of vintage French pop, all while drawing on the band’s global background. Trained in film scoring at Berklee, Giannikou’s film music finesse has won her awards and caught the attention of everyone from Kronos Quartet to Louis CK (she sang a duet with CK for the comedian’s TV show).

Live, Banda Magda bursts with humor and quirky sensibility, powered by a unflagging energy. This group of close musical friends turn Giannikou’s songs into engaging romps that have won them a spot with Carnegie Hall Musical Explorers Series, as well as performances at discerning venues and festivals such as Celebrate Brooklyn, Joe’s Pub, The Jefferson Center, The Kennedy Center, and Webster Hall.

After the success of their brilliantly colorful debut album – Amour, t’es là? – (Top 10 Billboard World Music Charts, NPR’s All Songs Considered, First Listen, NPR’s 10 favorite World Music Albums 2013) the band is releasing album #2 in July 2014 under GRAMMY Award-Winners Michael League's groundUP Records.