«Danae e
os novos crioulos»

Danae Estrela

Composition, Guitar & Vocals

Born in Havana, Cuba · Raised in Cape Verde · Based in Berlin

Danae Estrela's musical identity was forged across three continents. Born in Havana and raised in the Cape Verde Islands, she carries the music of the Atlantic in her voice — the melancholy of morna, the rhythmic joy of funaná, the coastal winds of the islands.

After relocating to Coimbra, Portugal, she recorded her debut album Condição de Louco (2005) under Norte Sul / Valentim de Carvalho. The Portuguese press hailed it as one of the musical revelations of the year; Blitz magazine named it one of the best Portuguese albums of 2005.

In 2006, she contributed music to the Lithuanian filmmaker Šarūnas Bartas' film Eastern Drift, later screened at the Berlinale. Her second album Cafuca (2010) took the ensemble on international tours across Europe and Cape Verde, with concerts at Festival de Sines, Super Bock Super Rock, and the Kriol Jazz Festival.

Her third album Num Tempo Ki Ka Tem Tempo (2020), produced with two-time Grammy winner Marco Bosco, synthesises Cape Verdean tradition with jazz, folk and contemporary world music. Since 2022, Danae has been based in Berlin, opening a new chapter of «Danae e os novos crioulos».

Raimund Engelhardt

Co-Founder · Percussion · Composition & Arrangement

India · Portugal · Berlin

Raimund Engelhardt is one of the defining artistic forces behind «Danae e os novos crioulos». As co-founder, percussionist, composer and arranger, he has shaped the ensemble's musical identity from its earliest days, building bridges between Cape Verdean traditions, jazz, folk music and the rhythmic sophistication of North Indian classical music.

His academic path is exceptional. Engelhardt completed both a Bachelor and a Master of Music at the prestigious Bhatkhande College of Hindustani Music in India, graduating with first-class distinction. Years of intensive study immersed him in the language of tala, improvisation, accompaniment and the philosophical foundations of Indian classical music — influences that continue to resonate throughout his work today.

After relocating to Portugal in 2001, he became a respected figure within the Iberian music scene, collaborating with leading artists from jazz, fado and contemporary world music, including Carlos Martins, Bernardo Sassetti, António Chainho and the guitar project Las Guitarras Locas.

Together with Cape Verdean singer Danae Estrela, he co-founded «Danae e os novos crioulos» and produced the acclaimed album Cafuca. The project toured extensively across Europe and Africa, establishing a unique sound rooted in creole cultural exchange, rhythmic innovation and artistic openness.

Beyond the stage, Engelhardt is an educator, researcher and advocate for intercultural music-making. He has taught at institutions including the Open Jazz House School in Cologne, performs as a Tabla specialist internationally, and has appeared at major venues such as the Philharmonie Köln. He is currently developing educational material exploring the history, tradition and contemporary applications of the Tabla.

Johannes Krieger

Trumpet & Multi-instrumentalist

Berlin, Germany

Johannes Krieger is a versatile trumpeter, multi-instrumentalist and musical explorer whose work bridges the worlds of jazz, world music and intercultural improvisation. For many years, he has been an active presence in the European and Lusophone music scenes, developing a distinctive artistic voice shaped by curiosity, openness and deep musical dialogue across cultures.

A significant part of his artistic journey has been his long-standing collaboration with the legendary Cape Verdean musician Tito Paris. Performing regularly alongside one of Cape Verde's most influential cultural ambassadors has given Krieger profound insight into the rich musical traditions of the islands and established him as a respected musician within the international Cape Verdean music community.

Beyond the trumpet, Johannes incorporates a variety of wind instruments and sound textures into his performances, creating a musical language that is both deeply rooted and constantly evolving. His approach combines the spontaneity of jazz improvisation with influences from traditional and contemporary music cultures, resulting in performances marked by sensitivity, imagination and expressive depth.

As a core member of «Danae e os novos crioulos», Krieger contributes a unique melodic and atmospheric dimension to the ensemble. His playing weaves seamlessly between Cape Verdean song traditions, African influences, European jazz and contemporary acoustic music — helping to shape the group's distinctive sound and artistic identity.

Hans Bilger

Double Bass · Sound Engineer · Biologist

Brooklyn, New York · Austin, Texas · Berlin

Hans Bilger is a musician, sound engineer, and biologist from Brooklyn, New York. The eldest child of a classical singer and a science writer, he spent his childhood playing American folk and country gospel in a family band — summers were spent at jazz camp, collecting insects, and dissecting mice at his aunt's cancer research lab.

These experiences shaped his studies with mentors including Greg Cohen (Ornette Coleman, Laurie Anderson), Paul Kowert (Punch Brothers), Axel Scherka (Staatskapelle Berlin), J.A. Granelli (Mose Allison), and Nabil Arbaain (Arabic Music Institute Berlin). After completing his B.S. at Yale University in 2016, he moved to Austin, Texas, becoming a sought-after sideman and session bassist. His debut solo album Meridian was released in 2019 by Good Child Music. Since 2017 he has served as composer-in-residence for Brooklyn-based dance company Cora Dance.

In 2020, Bilger moved to Berlin, where he performs across jazz, folk, experimental, and Middle Eastern music scenes. In 2023, he and composer Eli Greenhoe launched Miniwagon, a music and media production company.

Bilger holds a PhD in Ecology, Evolution, and Behavior from the University of Texas at Austin — his dissertation explored the evolution of the voice in frogs, bats, and humans. He has published on musical structure in birdsong and the anatomy of the avian voice box, and is currently a Visiting Scientist at Berlin's Museum für Naturkunde – Leibniz Institute for Evolution and Biodiversity Science.

Photo: Franziska Friedmann