Airto Moreira facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Airto Moreira
|
|
|---|---|
Moreira in concert in 2007
|
|
| Background information | |
| Birth name | Airto Guimorvan Moreira |
| Born | August 5, 1941 Itaiópolis, Santa Catarina, Brazil |
| Genres | Jazz, jazz fusion, Brazilian jazz, pop, baião |
| Occupation(s) | Musician, bandleader, composer |
| Instruments | Drums, percussion |
| Years active | 1954–present |
| Labels | One Way, CTI, Arista, Warner Music Japan |
| Associated acts | Flora Purim, Return to Forever, Miles Davis, Hermeto Pascoal, Heraldo do Monte |
Airto Guimorvan Moreira (born August 5, 1941) is a famous Brazilian jazz drummer, composer, and percussionist. He is known for making amazing music with many different instruments. Airto is married to the talented jazz singer Flora Purim. Their daughter, Diana Moreira, is also a singer, keeping music in the family! Airto became well-known in the late 1960s as part of a Brazilian group called Quarteto Novo. Later, he moved to the United States. There, he played a new style of music called jazz fusion with legendary artists. These included Miles Davis, Return to Forever, Weather Report, and Santana.
Contents
Airto Moreira's Musical Journey
Early Life and Brazilian Roots
Airto Moreira was born in Itaiópolis, Brazil, on August 5, 1941. He grew up in the cities of Curitiba and São Paulo. From a very young age, Airto showed an amazing talent for music. He became a professional musician when he was just 13 years old! People first noticed his skills when he played with the samba jazz group Sambalanço Trio. He also made a very important recording with Hermeto Pascoal in a group called Quarteto Novo in 1967. Soon after, he moved to the United States with his wife, Flora Purim.
Moving to the United States
After arriving in the U.S., Airto studied music in Los Angeles. He then moved to New York. There, he started playing regularly with many jazz musicians. One of these musicians was the bassist Walter Booker. Through Booker, Airto met Joe Zawinul, who then introduced him to the legendary Miles Davis.
At this time, Miles Davis was trying out new sounds. He was mixing electronic instruments with rock and funk rhythms. This new style of music soon became known as jazz fusion. Airto was a big part of this exciting new sound. He played on some of the most important projects of this new music style. Airto stayed with Miles Davis for about two years, helping to create groundbreaking music.
Joining Famous Bands
After leaving Miles Davis, Airto joined other musicians who had also played with Davis. These included Joe Zawinul, Wayne Shorter, and Miroslav Vitous. They formed a group called Weather Report. Airto played percussion on their very first album in 1971.
Later, Airto left Weather Report to join another new band. This band was called Return to Forever, led by Chick Corea. Airto played drums on their first two albums in 1972. These albums were titled Return to Forever and Light as a Feather.
Collaborations and World Music
Airto Moreira has worked with many other famous musicians. He played on several world music albums with Grateful Dead percussionist Mickey Hart. These albums were part of "The World collection." One of these albums, Planet Drum, even won a Grammy Award in 1991!
You can also hear Airto playing congas on a popular song from the 1970s. It was Eumir Deodato's space-funk hit "Also sprach Zarathustra."
Airto has played with many other jazz greats. These include Cannonball Adderley, Lee Morgan, Paul Desmond, Dave Holland, Jack DeJohnette, John McLaughlin, Keith Jarrett, Al Di Meola, Zakir Hussain, George Duke, and Mickey Hart.
Beyond Concerts and Recordings
Besides playing in concerts and making albums, Airto has also created music for movies and TV shows. He performed at the re-opening of the famous Library of Alexandria in Egypt. He has also taught music at places like UCLA and the California Brazil Camp.
In 1996, Airto and his wife Flora Purim worked with a group called P.M. Dawn. They made a song called "Non-Fiction Burning" for an album called Red Hot + Rio. This album helped raise money for a good cause.
In 2022, it was shared that Airto Moreira was facing some health challenges. His wife, Flora, became his full-time caregiver. Their daughter, Niura, set up a special page online to help raise money for Airto's medical care. This shows how much his family supports him.
Awards and Honors
- Airto Moreira was voted the best percussionist in "Down Beat Magazine's Critics Poll" for many years. He won this award from 1975 to 1982, and again in 1993.
- In September 2002, the President of Brazil gave Airto and Flora Purim a very high honor. They were added to the "Order of Rio Branco," which is one of Brazil's most important awards.
Discography
A discography is a list of all the musical recordings an artist has made. Airto Moreira has released many albums throughout his career. Here are some of his notable works:
As leader
- Natural Feelings (1970)
- Free (1972)
- Fingers (1973)
- Virgin Land (1974)
- Däfos with Mickey Hart (1983)
- Humble People with Flora Purim (1985)
- Life After That (2003)
- The Boston Three Party with Chick Corea, Eddie Gomez (2007)
With Sambalanço Trio
- Sambalanço Trio (1964)
- Improviso Negro (1965)
With Fourth World
- Fourth World (1993)
- Encounters of the Fourth World (1995)
Filmography
- 2006: Airto & Flora Purim: The Latin Jazz All-Stars (a film about Airto and Flora's music)
See Also
In Spanish: Airto Moreira para niños
- Mário Negrão
