Walter Smetak

Walter Smetak
Born	13 February 1913 Zurich,Switzerland
Died	30 May 1984(1984-05-30)(aged 71) Salvador, Brazil
Notable work	Smetak(1974)

Anton Walter Smetak(Zurich, Switzerland, 13 February 1913 – Salvador, Brazil, 30 May 1984) was a Swiss-born musician, composer, writer, sculptor and producer of musical instruments.

Life and works

Walter Smetak was born in Zurich ofCzechorigin and migrated toBrazilin 1937. He was a composer and inventor of instruments with which he would then play and conduct. He was a professor of composition at theFederal University of Bahia(UFBA) School of Music from 1957 to 1984.

Relatively unknown, he is considered a forerunner and early influence on the musicians and artists who would form the core ofTropicalia,such asCaetano Veloso,Gilberto Gil,Tom ZéandTorquato Neto.One of his best known works is the experimental album titledSmetak,released in Brazil in 1974. Deeply involved in the Brazilian music scene of the 1960s and 1970s, Smetak collaborated with Gilberto Gil, Tom Zé,Uaktiand others. The group Uakti, one of the world's most important groups that employed original instruments, was strongly inspired by Smetak's teaching, since its founderMarco Antonio Guimarãeswas his pupil. He died inSalvadorin 1984.