Marcos Valle is a Brazilian samba-pop singer/songwriter who released ten albums between 1963 and 1974 on Odeon, followed by three Eighties-era albums on Som Livre and Arca. He emerged with Samba “Demais” and gained international traction in 1964 with “Samba de Verão,” a standard co-written with his brother, Paulo Sérgio Valle. Through O Compositor e […]
Antônio Carlos Jobim (Jan. 25, 1927 — Dec. 8, 1994) was a Brazilian composer, pianist, guitarist, and singer, best known globally for the 1962 bossa nova evergreen “Garota de Ipanema (The Girl from Ipanema),” among the most covered songs of the 20th century. Across four decades, he recorded more than thirty studio albums, collaborative titles, […]
Nara Leão (January 19, 1942 — June 7, 1989) was a Brazilian singer and actress who carried Rio bossa nova repertory into samba, protest song, Tropicália-linked material, and later MPB. She made her album debut with the 1964 Elenco release Nara and built her mid-Sixties profile on Philips with Opinião de Nara and O Canto […]
Egberto Gismonti (born Dec. 5, 1947) is a Brazilian pianist, guitarist, and composer from Carmo, Rio de Janeiro, whose recording career opened in 1969 and later extended across Elenco, Polydor, EMI-Odeon, ECM, Carmo, Kuarup, and other imprints. His early Brazilian run includes Sonho 70, Água & vinho, Academia de danças, Corações futuristas, Carmo, and Nó […]
Airto Moreira (born Aug. 5, 1941) is a Brazilian vocalist and percussionist, married to vocalist Flora Purim since 1967. The couple featured in the original lineup of Chick Corea’s Return to Forever, appearing on the 1972 album that launched the name and its 1973 followup Light as a Feather. As a solo artist, Moreira released […]
Azymuth are a Brazilian samba-jazz/funk trio from Rio, formed in 1971. They first appeared as “Conjunto Azimuth” on the 1973 O Fabuloso Fittipaldi soundtrack alongside Marcos Valle and Paulo Sérgio Valle. Under the name Azimüth, they released a self-titled EP on Polydor and an eponymous album on Som Livre, both in 1975. Their 1977 Atlantic […]
Tamba Trio was a Brazilian samba-jazz combo that released nine albums through 1967 on Philips and Elenco, then returned for a mid-Seventies electrified run on RCA Victor. Members: Bebeto Castilho (bass, flute, saxophone, vocals), Luiz Eça (piano, vocals, arrangements, 1962-68, 1974-75, 1982-84, 1989-92), Hélcio Milito (drums, percussion, vocals, 1962-64, 1974-75, 1982-84), Rubens Ohana (drums, percussion, […]
Zimbo Trio was a Brazilian samba-jazz combo that released six albums between 1964 and 1969 on RGE, followed by six further albums through 1976 on Philips and seven from 1978 onward on Clam. Members: Amilton Godói (piano), Luiz Chaves (bass, 1964-2001), Rubinho Barsotti (drums), Itamar Collaço (bass, 2001-present) Background Zimbo Trio formed in São Paulo […]
Jorge Ben is a Brazilian samba-soul singer-songwriter who released twenty-three albums between 1963 and 1975 on Philips and Som Livre. His debut, Samba esquema novo, included “Mas que Nada” and “Chove Chuva.” He recorded “País Tropical” for Jorge Ben (1969), then released A tábua de esmeralda (1974) and África Brasil (1976). He adopted the name […]
Brazilian Octopus was a Brazilian samba-psych band that released a 1969 self-titled album on Fermata. The band featured ex-Sambrasa Trio/Quarteto Nôvo pianist-flutist Hermeto Pascoal, who gained international renown as a solo artist and bandleader. Members: Hermeto Pascoal (flute), Lanny Gordin (guitar), Aparecido Bianchi (piano, organ), Carlos Alberto de Alcântara Pereira (flute, saxophone), Douglas de Oliveira […]
