Airto Guimorvan Moreira(born August 5, 1941)[1]is a Brazilian jazz drummer, composer and percussionist.[2]He is married to jazz singerFlora Purim,and their daughter Diana Moreira is also a singer.[2]Coming to prominence in the late 1960s as a member of the Brazilian ensembleQuarteto Novo,he moved to the United States and worked injazz fusionwithMiles Davis,Return to Forever,Weather ReportandSantana.
Airto Moreira | |
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![]() Moreira in concert in 2007 | |
Background information | |
Birth name | Airto Guimorvan Moreira |
Born | Itaiópolis,Santa Catarina,Brazil | August 5, 1941
Genres | Jazz,jazz fusion,Brazilian jazz,pop,baião |
Occupation(s) | Musician,bandleader,composer |
Instrument(s) | Drums, percussion |
Years active | 1954–present |
Labels | One Way,CTI,Arista,Warner Music Japan |
Website | www |
Biography
editAirto Moreira was born inItaiópolis,Brazil,[1]into a family of folk healers, and raised inCuritibaandSão Paulo.Showing an extraordinary talent for music at a young age, he became a professional musician at age 13, noticed first as a member of thesambajazz pioneersSambalanço Trioand for his landmark recording withHermeto PascoalinQuarteto Novoin 1967.[2]Shortly after, he followed his wifeFlora Purimto theUnited States.
After moving to the US, Moreira studied withMoacir Santosin Los Angeles.[3]He then moved toNew Yorkwhere he began playing regularly with jazz musicians, including the bassistWalter Booker.Through Booker, Moreira began playing withJoe Zawinul,who in turn introduced him toMiles Davis.[1]At this time Davis was experimenting with electronic instruments and rock and funk rhythms, a form which was soon calledjazz fusion.[1]Moreira participated in several of the most important projects of this emerging musical form,[1]and stayed with Davis for about two years.[4]
Shortly after leaving Davis, Moreira joined other Davis alumni Zawinul,Wayne ShorterandMiroslav Vitousin their groupWeather Report,playing percussion on theirfirst album(1971).[1]He left Weather Report (replaced byDom Um RomãoandMuruga Bookerfor theirSweetnighteralbum) to join fellow Davis alumnusChick Corea's new bandReturn to Forever.[1]He played drums on Return to Forever's first two albums:Return to ForeverandLight as a Featherin 1972.
Moreira was a contributor to many ofGrateful DeadpercussionistMickey Hart's world music/percussion albums inRykodisc's The World collection, includingThe Apocalypse Now Sessions,Däfos,Supralingua,andPlanet Drum,which won a World Music Grammy in 1991.[2]He can be heard playing congas onEumir Deodato's 1970s space-funk hit "Also sprach Zarathustra"on the albumPrelude.
Moreira has also played with several jazz musicians, includingCannonball Adderley,Lee Morgan,Paul Desmond,Dave Holland,Jack DeJohnette,John McLaughlin,Keith Jarrett,Al Di Meola,Zakir Hussain,George DukeandMickey Hart.[2]
In addition to jazz concerts and recordings, he has composed and contributed music to film and television, played at the re-opening of theLibrary of Alexandria,Egypt[5](along with fellow professor of ethnomusicologyHalim El-Dabh[6]), and taught atUCLAand the California Brazil Camp.
In 1996, Moreira and his wifeFlora Purimcollaborated with P.M. Dawn on the song "Non-Fiction Burning" for the AIDS benefit albumRed Hot + Rio,produced by theRed Hot Organization.
In 2022, it was announced via the Flora Purim & Airto MoreiraFacebookpage that Airto was suffering severe health problems and that wife Flora was now his full-time caregiver. AGoFundMepage was set up by their daughter Niura with the aim of raising funds to provide Airto with funding for medical care.[7]
Awards
edit- Moreira was voted the number one percussionist in "Down BeatMagazine's Critics Poll "for the years 1975 through 1982 and most recently in 1993.[8]
- In September 2002, Brazil's PresidentFernando Henrique Cardosoadded Moreira and Purim to the "Order of Rio Branco",one of Brazil's highest honors.
Discography
editAs leader
edit- Natural Feelings(Buddah, 1970)
- Seeds On the Ground(Buddah, 1971)
- Free(CTI, 1972)
- Fingers(CTI, 1973)
- Virgin Land(Salvation, 1974)
- In ConcertwithEumir Deodato(CTI, 1974)
- Identity(Arista, 1975)
- Promises of the Sun(Arista, 1976)
- I'm Fine, How Are You?(Warner Bros., 1977)
- Touching You...Touching Me(Warner Bros., 1979)
- DäfoswithMickey Hart(Reference, 1983)
- Misa Espiritual(Harmonia Mundi, 1983)
- Latino/Aqui Se Puede(Sobocode, 1984)
- Three-Way Mirror(Reference, 1985)
- Humble PeoplewithFlora Purim(Concord Jazz, 1985)
- The Magicianswith Flora Purim (Crossover, 1986)
- The Colours of Lifewith Flora Purim (In+Out, 1988)
- Samba de Flora(Montuno, 1989)
- The Sun Is Outwith Flora Purim (Crossover, 1987)
- Struck by Lightning(Venture, 1989)
- The Other Side of This(Rykodisc, 1992)
- Killer Bees(B&W Music, 1993)
- Homeless(M.E.L.T., 2000)
- Revenge of the Killer Bees(M.E.L.T., 2000)
- Life After That(Narada, 2003)
- The Boston Three PartywithChick Corea,Eddie Gomez (Stretch, 2007)
- Aluê(Selo, 2017)
- Eu canto assim(NoRPM, 2021)
WithSambalanço Trio
- Sambalanço Trio(Audio Fidelity, 1964)
- Improviso Negro(Ubatuqui, 1965)
- Reencontro com Sambalanço Trio(Som Maior, 1965)
WithFourth World
- Recorded Live At Ronnie Scott's Club(Ronnie Scotts Jazz House 1992)
- Fourth World(B and W Music 1993)
- Encounters of the Fourth World(B and W Music 1995)
- Live in South Africa 1993(Bootleg.net 1996)
- Last Journey(M.E.L.T. 2000)
- Return Journey(Electro M.E.L.T. 2000)
As sideman
edit- The Black Messiah(Capitol, 1971)
- The Happy People(Capitol, 1972)
- Phenix(Fantasy, 1975)
- Big Man: The Legend of John Henry(Fantasy, 1975)
- Music You All(Capitol, 1976)
- Lovers(Fantasy, 1976)
WithGato Barbieri
- El Pampero(Flying Dutchman, 1972)
- Bolivia(Flying Dutchman, 1973)
- Under Fire(Flying Dutchman, 1973)
- El Gato(Flying Dutchman, 1975)
WithStanley Clarke
- Stanley Clarke(Nemperor, 1974)
- I Wanna Play for You(Nemperor, 1979)
- Shieldstone(Bellaphon, 1987)
WithChick Corea
- Return to Forever(ECM, 1972)
- Light as a Feather(Polydor, 1973)
- Secret Agent(Polydor, 1978)
- Tap Step(Warner Bros., 1980)
- The Ultimate Adventure(Stretch, 2006)
WithMiles Davis
- Miles Davis at Fillmore(Columbia, 1970)
- Live-Evil(Columbia, 1971)
- Black Beauty: Live at the Fillmore West(CBS/Sony, 1973)
- Get Up with It(Columbia, 1974)
- Big Fun(Columbia, 1974)
- Circle in the Round(Columbia, 1979)
- Directions(Columbia, 1981)
- The Complete Bitches Brew Sessions(recorded 1969–1970, released 1998)
WithPaul Desmond
- From the Hot Afternoon(A&M, 1969)
- Summertime(A&M, 1969)
- Bridge Over Troubled Water(A&M, 1970)
WithGeorge Duke
- Feel(MPS/BASF, 1974)
- I Love the Blues, She Heard My Cry(MPS/BASF, 1975)
- The Aura Will Prevail(MPS/BASF, 1975)
- Liberated Fantasies(MPS, 1976)
- A Brazilian Love Affair(Epic, 1980)
- Night After Night(Elektra, 1989)
- Snapshot(Warner Bros., 1992)
- Is Love Enough?(Warner Bros., 1997)
- Duke(BPM, 2005)
- In a Mellow Tone(BPM, 2006)
WithDavid Friesen
- Amber Skies(Palo Alto, 1984)
- Other Times Other Places(Global Pacific, 1989)
- Departure(Global Pacific, 1990)
- Ancient Kings(Shamrock, 1994)
WithStan Getz
- Captain Marvel(Columbia, 1975)
- The Best of Two Worlds(Columbia, 1976)
WithAstrud Gilberto
- I Haven't Got Anything Better to Do(Verve, 1969)
- Gilberto with Turrentine(CTI, 1971)
- Now(Perception, 1972)
WithJohnny Hammond
- Breakout(Kudu, 1971)
- Wild Horses Rock Steady(Kudu, 1972)
- The Prophet(Kudu, 1972)
WithMickey Hart
- The Apocalypse Now Sessions(Passport, 1980)
- At the Edge(Rykodisc, 1990)
- Planet Drum(Rykodisc, 1991)
- Mickey Hart's Mystery Box(1996)
- Supralingua(Rykodisc, 1998)
WithFreddie Hubbard
- First Light(CTI, 1971)
- Sky Dive(CTI, 1972)
- The Baddest Hubbard(CTI, 1972)
- Polar AC(CTI, 1975)
WithBob James
- H(Tappan Zee, 1980)
- Snowbird(Tappan Zee/Columbia, 1980)
- Sign of the Times(Tappan Zee/Columbia, 1981)
- Stone Flower(CTI, 1970)
- Jobim(MCA, 1973)
WithHubert Laws
- Afro-Classic(CTI, 1970)
- The Rite of Spring(CTI, 1972)
- Wild Flower(Atlantic, 1972)
WithDuke Pearson
- How Insensitive(Blue Note, 1969)
- Merry Ole Soul(Blue Note, 1969)
- I Don't Care Who Knows It(Blue Note, 1996)
WithFlora Purim
- Butterfly Dreams(Milestone, 1973)
- Stories to Tell(Milestone, 1974)
- 500 Miles High(Milestone, 1976)
- Open Your Eyes You Can Fly(Milestone, 1976)
- Encounter(Milestone, 1977)
- Nothing Will Be As It Was...Tomorrow(Warner Bros., 1977)
- That's What She Said(Milestone, 1978)
- Everyday Everynight(Warner Bros., 1978)
- Carry On(Warner Bros., 1979)
- The Midnight Sun(Venture, 1988)
- Speed of Light(B&W Music, 1995)
- Welcome Back '95(B&W Music, 1995)
- Perpetual Emotion(Narada, 2001)
- If You Will(Strut, 2022)
WithWayne Shorter
- Super Nova(Blue Note, 1969)
- Native Dancer(Columbia, 1975)
- High Life(Verve, 1995)
WithPaul Simon
- Paul Simon(Columbia, 1971)
- There Goes Rhymin' Simon(Columbia, 1973)
- Hearts and Bones(Warner Bros., 1983)
- Salt Song(CTI, 1971)
- The Baddest Turrentine(CTI, 1973)
- The Sugar Man(CTI, 1975)
- Inner City Blues(Kudu, 1971)
- All the King's Horses(Kudu, 1972)
- Soul Box(Kudu, 1973)
With others
- Average White Band,Feel No Fret(Atlantic, 1979)
- George Benson,White Rabbit(CTI, 1972)
- George Benson,Take Five(Columbia, 1993)
- Luiz Bonfa,Jacaranda(Ranwood, 1973)
- Luiz Bonfa,Sanctuary(Sony, 2000)
- Soledad Bravo,Soledad Bravo(Sono-Rodven, 1985)
- Brecker Brothers,Detente(Arista, 1980)
- Dee Dee Bridgewater,Just Family(Elektra, 1978)
- Kenny Burrell,God Bless the Child(CBS, 1971)
- Charlie Byrd,For All We Know(Columbia, 1971)
- Donald Byrd,Electric Byrd(Blue Note, 1970)
- Donald Byrd,Kofi(Blue Note, 1995)
- The Carpenters,Lovelines(A&M, 1989)
- Karen Carpenter,Karen Carpenter(A&M, 1996)
- Oscar Castro-Neves,Live at Blue Note Tokyo(CT Music 2009)
- Danilo Caymmi,Cheiro Verde Ana(Terra, 1977)
- Chicago,Chicago 13(Columbia, 1979)
- Billy Cobham,Drum 'n' Voice 2(Nicolosi, 2006)
- Michel Colombier,Michel Colombier(Chrysalis, 1979)
- Norman Connors,Dance of Magic(Cobblestone, 1972)
- Hank Crawford,Help Me Make it Through the Night(Kudu, 1972)
- Al Di Meola,Cielo e Terra(Manhattan, 1985)
- Al Di Meola,Soaring Through a Dream(Manhattan, 1985)
- Eumir Deodato,Prelude(CBS, 1973)
- Eumir Deodato,The Crossing(Soul Trade, 2011)
- Depeche Mode,Exciter(Mute, 2001)
- Depeche Mode,Freelove(Mute, 2001)
- Joao Donato,Donato Deodato(Muse, 1973)
- Christy Doran,Shaman(M.E.L.T., 2000)
- Gil Evans,Where Flamingos Fly(Artists House, 1981)
- Joe Farrell,Outback(CTI, 1971)
- Joe Farrell,Night Dancing(Warner Bros., 1978)
- Reinhard Flatischler,Layers of Time(Intuition, 1996)
- Frank Foster,The Loud Minority(Mainstream, 1972)
- Dizzy Gillespie,Live at the Royal Festival Hall(Enja, 1990)
- Dizzy Gillespie,Rhythmstick(CTI, 1990)
- Egberto Gismonti,Trem Caipira(EMI, 1985)
- Jim Hall,Where Would I Be?(Milestone, 1972)
- Lani Hall,Double or Nothing(A&M, 1979)
- Herbie Hancock,Dis Is da Drum(Mercury, 1994)
- Joe Henderson,Black Is the Color(Milestone, 1972)
- Terumasa Hino,Double Rainbow(CBS/Sony, 1981)
- Paul Horn,Brazilian Images(Black Sun, 1991)
- Toninho Horta,Terra Dos Passaros(EMI, 1980)
- Bobby Hutcherson,Color Schemes(Landmark, 1986)
- Jackie & Roy,Time & Love(CTI, 1972)
- Keith Jarrett,Expectations(Columbia, 1972)
- Alphonso Johnson,Moonshadows(Epic, 1976)
- Alphonso Johnson,Metaphors(Embamba Music, 2017)
- J. J. JohnsonandKai Winding,Betwixt & Between(A&M/CTI, 1969)
- Chaka Khan,Chaka(Warner Bros., 1978)
- Masabumi Kikuchi,Susto(CBS/Sony, 1981)
- Masabumi Kikuchi,One-Way Traveller(CBS/Sony, 1982)
- John Klemmer,Arabesque(ABC, 1978)
- John Klemmer,Brazilia(ABC, 1979)
- Steve Kuhn,Steve Kuhn(Buddah, 1971)
- Madala Kunene,Kon'Ko Man(B&W Music, 1996)
- Nils Landgren,Paint It Blue(ACT 1996)
- Indra Lesmana,For Earth and Heaven(Zebra, 1986)
- Edu Lobo,Sergio Mendes Presents Lobo(A&M, 1970)
- The Manhattan Transfer,The Chick Corea Songbook(2009)
- Rick Margitza,Color(Blue Note, 1989)
- Rick Margitza,Hope(Blue Note, 1991)
- Tania Maria,Forbidden Colors(Capitol, 1988)
- Cesar Camargo Mariano,Octeto De Cesar Camargo Mariano(Som Maior, 1965)
- Charlie Mariano,Mirror(Atlantic, 1972)
- Gary McFarland,Today(Skye, 1970)
- John McLaughlin,My Goal's Beyond(Douglas, 1971)
- Gary Meek,Gary Meek(Lipstick, 1991)
- Sergio Mendes,Primal Roots(A&M, 1972)
- Joni Mitchell,Don Juan's Reckless Daughter(Asylum, 1977)
- Milton Nascimento,Courage(A&M, 1969)
- Milton Nascimento,Milton(A&M, 1976)
- Jose Neto,Mountains and the Sea(Water Lily, 1986)
- Jose Neto,In Memory of Thunder(B&W Music, 1996)
- Lee Oskar,My Road Our Road(Avenue, 1981)
- Lee Oskar,Reflections(Tokuma, 1999)
- Babatunde Olatunji,Dance to the Beat of My Drum(Blue Heron, 1986)
- Babatunde Olatunji,Drums of Passion(Rykodisc, 1988)
- Hermeto Pascoal,Hermeto(Cobblestone, 1970)
- Hermeto Pascoal,Slaves Mass(Warner Bros., 1977)
- Annette Peacock,I'm the One(RCA Victor, 1972)
- Ivo Perelman,Ivo(King, 1989)
- Esther Phillips,From a Whisper to a Scream(Kudu, 1971)
- David Pomeranz,Time to Fly(Decca, 1971)
- Michel Portal,Birdwatcher(Sunnyside, 2007)
- Quarteto Novo,Quarteto Novo(EMI, 1993)
- Dianne Reeves,Dianne Reeves(Blue Note, 1987)
- Dianne Reeves,Quiet After the Storm(Blue Note, 1994)
- Lawson Rollins,Infinita(Infinita 2008)
- Lawson Rollins,Espirito(2010)
- Charlie Rouse,Two Is One(Strata-East, 1974)
- Santana,Borboletta(Columbia, 1974)
- Santana,Dance of the Rainbow Serpent(Columbia, 1995)
- Seawind,Seawind(A&M, 1980)
- Don Sebesky,Giant Box(CTI, 1973)
- Lonnie Smith,Mama Wailer(Kudu, 1971)
- Raul de Souza,Sweet Lucy(Capitol, 1977)
- Raul de Souza,Don't Ask My Neighbors(Capitol, 1978)
- James Taylor,That's Why I'm Here(Columbia, 1985)
- Buddy Terry,Pure Dynamite(Mainstream, 1972)
- Leon Thomas,Blues and the Soulful Truth(Flying Dutchman, 1972)
- McCoy Tyner,13th House(Milestone, 1982)
- Tina Turner,Rough(United Artists, 1978)
- Marcos Valle,Vontade de Rever Voce(Som Livre 1981)
- Geraldo Vandre,5 Anos De Cancao(Som Maior, 1966)
- Miroslav Vitous,Magical Shepherd(Warner Bros., 1976)
- Narada Michael Walden,Awakening(Atlantic, 1979)
- Walter Wanderley,Moondreams(A&M/CTI, 1969)
- Leon Ware,Leon Ware(Be With 2014)
- Weather Report,Weather Report(Columbia, 1971)
- Randy Weston,Blue Moses(CTI, 1972)
- Michael White,The X Factor(Elektra, 1978)
- Lauren Wood,Cat Trick(Warner Bros., 1981)
- Peter Yarrow,Peter(Warner Bros., 1972)
- Brian Bromberg,In the Spirit of Jobim(Mack Avenue, 2012)
- Tommy Bolin,Teaser(nemperor, 1975)
Filmography
edit- 2006:Airto & Flora Purim: The Latin Jazz All-Stars[9]
See also
editSources
edit- Mei, Giancarlo (2017).Spiriti Liberi. L'Avventura Brasiliana Di Flora Purim & Airto Moreira (official biography)(in Italian).Rome,Italy:Arcana Jazz.ISBN978-8862319546.
References
edit- ^abcdefgColin Larkin,ed. (1992).The Guinness Encyclopedia of Popular Music(First ed.).Guinness Publishing.p. 1749.ISBN0-85112-939-0.
- ^abcdeYanow, Scott."Airto Moreira".AllMusic.RetrievedOctober 22,2011.
- ^Feather, Leonard (1987).The encyclopedia of jazz in the seventies.New York: Da Capo Press. p. 49.ISBN978-0-306-80290-4.
- ^"M.E.L.T. 2000 artist's bio".Melt2000.com. Archived fromthe originalon July 20, 2011.RetrievedOctober 22,2011.
- ^"Europe Jazz Network Bio".Ejn.it. September 30, 2003. Archived fromthe originalon September 27, 2011.RetrievedOctober 22,2011.
- ^Seachrist, Denise A. (2003).The Musical World of Halim El-Dabh.Kent, Ohio, United States: Kent State University Press 296 ppISBN0-87338-752-X
- ^Lebrecht, Norman (August 6, 2022)."A Brazilian Music Legend Needs Our Help".Slippedisc.RetrievedAugust 4,2024.
- ^"Archives: Down Beat Critics Poll".Down Beat.Archived fromthe originalon January 22, 2008.RetrievedOctober 22,2011.(see individual years linked from that page)
- ^"Airto & Flora Purim: The Latin Jazz All-Stars".View.com. Archived fromthe originalon February 23, 2012.RetrievedOctober 22,2011.
External links
edit- Airto Moreira– official site
- Airto Moreiradiscography atDiscogs
- Airto Moreirabiography at Europe Jazz Network
- Airto Moreirainterview at Clubbity
- Airto Moreirainterview atAll About Jazz
- Airto Moreira InterviewatNAMM Oral History Collection