BIOGRAFIA
Biography One of Brazil's most influential drummers/percussionists, Nene
has participated in a variety of projects. In addition to leading his
own group, Nene has collaborated with jazz musicians from around the globe.
A member of Hermeto Pascoal's band from 1978 to 1980 and Egberto Gismonti's
band in 1980, Nene has performed and/or recorded with a lengthy list of
artists, including Milton Nascimento, Cesar Camargo Mariano, Elis Regina,
Edu Lobo, Claude Nougaro, Charlie Haden, Bob Moses, Steve Lacy, and Richard
Galiano. His book, Brazilian Rhythms, published by Zurfluh Editions in
Paris in 1988, remains the authoritative source on the subject. A native
of the southern Brazilian city of Porto Alegre, Nene showed musical talent
at a very young age. Although he began playing the accordion at the age
of 12, he soon turned his attention to the drums. By his 15th birthday,
he had launched his musical career. Within four years, he had advanced
to a spot in Pascoal's band. After continuing his apprenticeship with
Gismonti, Nenes formed his own band in 1980, releasing his debut album,
Bugre, two years later. Moving temporarily to France in 1983, Nenes found
himself in demand as a session player. In addition to performing with
Claude Naugaro, he formed the Nene Band with three Brazilians and two
Danes. Over the next decade, he divided his time between his homes in
France and Brazil. He remained in neither place for long, touring with
a superband featuring Gismonti, Kenny Wheeler, and Bob Moses in 1985.
Although he returned to Brazil in 1986, touring and recording with Pau
Brazil, he returned to France the following year and became the resident
composer for the Danish National Jazz Orchestra. A tour with Gismonti,
Charlie Haden, and Michel Portal in 1989 was followed by a tour of Japan
with Takashi Kako, performances with the Steve Lacy Group, and a tour
of Brazil with Pau Brazil the following year. Nene's skills as a composer
were demonstrated by a full-length production, Opera Dos Quinhentos Anos,
featuring the libretto of Naum Alves de Souza, that was presented at the
Teatro Municiple in Sao Paulo in 1992. He continued to periodically renew
his collaboration with Pascoal. In 1993, he performed 45 concerts in Europe
with a trio that also featured Pascoal and Arismar Do Espirito Santo.
The following year, he toured Europe with Pascoal and accordion player
Richard Galliano. As a teacher and guest lecturer, Nenes has shared his
knowledge at the Festival de Musica de Campos de Jordao and the 27th Festival
de Inverno de Ouro Preto. In 1997, he performed during a second seminar
of Brazilian rhythms in Belo Horizonte.
