Rio de Janeiro, Brazil – Brazilian drummer and percussionist Dom Um Romão died July 27 in Rio de Janeiro, at age 79. The pioneering percussionist had suffered a stroke on July 24, during a recording session with pianist Ricardo Leão.
He was buried in the Mesquita (Baixada Fluminense) cemetery, in his hometown of Rio. Romão is survived by a son, Cleber, who lives in the United States.
Born August 3, 1925, in Rio de Janeiro, Dom Um Romão began his musical career in the late 1940s, playing drums at dance halls and cabarets in Rio De Janeiro. He was later hired by the Rádio Tupi’s orchestra. In the 1950s, he formed the Copa Trio. He appeared on Elizeth Cardoso’s album Canção do Amor Demais, an essential bossa nova album, which featured music by Tom Jobim and the guitar of
João Gilberto.
In the 1960s, Dom Um Romão joined Sérgio Mendes’ jazz ensemble. His first album, Dom Um, came out in 1964. The following year, he moved to the United States, where he continued to work with Sérgio Mendes and participated in countless recording sessions.
His international profile became more visible in 1971, when he replaced Airto Moreira in the legendary fusion band Weather Report.
In the 1980s, he moved to St. Gallen, Switzerland. In the 90s, he spent more and more time in Brazil, participating in recordings and workshops. In 1997, he recorded Rhythm Traveler.
Throughout his career, Dom Um Romão worked with such artists as Cannonball Adderley, Antonio Carlos Jobim, Frank Sinatra, Tony Bennett, Helen Merrill, McCoy Tyner, Ron Carter, Astrud Gilberto, Walter Wanderley, Stanley Turrentine, Flora Purim, Luiz Henrique and Ithamara Koorax.
Percussionist Bobby Sanabria recently recalled his encounter with Dom Um Romão in a Latin jazz list serve: “I remember well his studio/rehearsal space/loft/club in New York City called “Black Beans.” It was indeed a gathering place for great music and times. Dom had a machine that I believe was for making
shoes that he stored near the stage there. It had a gigantic wheel and Dom utilized it as a percussion instrument. This was during the heyday of the loft scene in New York City, which was very exciting. Dom stored all of his percussion gear there and if he knew you, you could borrow whatever you needed.
He was a great all around Brazilian percussionist and drum set player and along with Airto he was responsible for the general public becoming aware of the possibilities for “color” with Brazilian percussion and the rise of it being utilized in fusion oriented groups.”
Author: World Music Central News Room
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