João Bosco de Freitas Mucci, better known as João Bosco was born in Ponte Nova, minas Gerais, Brazil in 1946. Joao Bosco cut his musical teeth in a family where music was just as important as eating and sleeping: his mother was an accomplished violinist; his father, a singer of samba; his sister, a concert pianist; and his brother, a composer. While attending Ouro Preto University, Bosco became steeped in American jazz (Miles Davis in particular), and the Bossa Nova sound of Joao Gilberto and Antonio Carlos Jobim. It was also at this university that he met lyricist Vinicius de Moraes, who contributed beautiful poetic lyrics to Bosco’s music.
In the 1970s Bosco became involved musically with Aldir Blanc, a psychiatrist who decided to give up his practice to become a lyricist. An extremely clever writer, Blanc became the perfect foil for Bosco and the two would work together, quite successfully, until the mid-1980s.
In 1977, Bosco wrote what was (and is) his most personal protest song, “O Bebaido e a Equilibrista” (The Drunkard and the Tightrope Walker), which became the theme song of Amnesty International.
Bosco’s American breakthrough followed a guest appearance with jazz guitarist Lee Ritenour on the latter’s 1988 record Festival. By the early 90’s, Bosco mounted a major tour of the U.S. and has since become increasingly popular internationally, playing year after year at the prestigious Montreux Jazz Festival.
His music is rooted in Brazil’s classic Samba and Bossa Nova traditions; a combination of rock and roll, jazz and other ethnic styles in an eclectic brew.
Discography
Disco De Bolso (Pasquim) (1972)
João Bosco (1973)
Caça à Raposa (1975)
Galos De Briga (1976)
Disco De Ouro, with Aldir Blanc (1977)
Tiro De Misericórdia (1977)
Linha De Passe (1979)
Bandalhismo (1980)
Essa É A Sua Vida (1981)
Comissão De Frente (1982)
João Bosco Ao Vivo (1983)
Gagabirô (1984)
Cabeça de Nego (1986)
Ai Ai Ai De Mim (1987)
Bosco (1989)
Zona De Fronteira (1991)
Acústico MTV (1992)
Na Onda Que Balança (1994)
Dá Licença Meu Senhor (1995)
As Mil E Uma Aldeias (1997)
Benguelê (1998)
Na Esquina (2000)
João Bosco Ao Vivo (2001)
Malabaristas Do Sinal Vermelho (2003)
Songbook 1/2/3 (2003)
Obrigado Gente! Ao Vivo (2006)
Senhoras do Amazonas (2010)
Não vou pro céu, mas já não vivo no chão (2009)
40 Anos Depois (2012)
Author: Angel Romero
Angel Romero y Ruiz has dedicated his life to musical exploration. His efforts included the creation of two online portals, worldmusiccentral.org and musicasdelmundo.com. In addition, Angel is the co-founder of the Transglobal World Music Chart, a panel of world music DJs and writers that celebrates global sounds. Furthermore, he delved into the record business, producing world music studio albums and compilations. His works have appeared on Alula Records, Ellipsis Arts, Indígena Records and Music of the World.
