After studying composition with Jamary Oliveira and Ernst Widmer in Brazil, and Ben Johnston and Herbert Brün at the University of Illinois, USA, he became a professor at the Universidade Federal da Bahia, and held several positions such as Director of the Music School (1988–1992) and Assistant Vice-President for Community Affairs (1996–2002).
Herbert Hoover | Herbert Kitchener, 1st Earl Kitchener | Herbert von Karajan | Frank Herbert | Herbert Marcuse | Herbert Read | Herbert Blomstedt | Herbert Grönemeyer | Herbert Beerbohm Tree | Matthew Herbert | Herbert Spencer | Victor Herbert | Herbert | Herbert A. Simon | George Herbert | Charles Herbert Best | Herbert Howells | George Herbert, 5th Earl of Carnarvon | Charles Le Brun | Brian Herbert | Aubrey Herbert | Sidney Herbert, 1st Baron Herbert of Lea | Herbert Chapman | Herbert Baumann | Herbert Austin | George Herbert Mead | Herbert Wise | Herbert Gintis | Herbert de Losinga | Henry Herbert, 4th Earl of Carnarvon |
Subsequent works for the ensemble have included Derailed, For Herbert Brun and most recently Grá Agus Bás (premiered in February 2007), the latter featuring the Irish vocalist Iarla Ó Lionáird and incorporating music from the sean nós tradition.