Moacir Santos was born July 26, 1926, in Flores, Pernambuco, Brazil. He was regarded as a walking encyclopedia in the realm of Brazilian instrumental music. Many of the musicians who have come to exemplify Brazilian music to US audiences, such as Dori Caymmi and Sergio Mendes, have cited his influence. The late Brazilian guitar ace Baden Powell was Moacir’s pupil.
Santos gained status as an arranger while working on the radio in Brazil in the 1950s. According to Santos, one of his most important works in Brazil was the soundtrack he wrote for the movie Amor no Pacifico (Love in the Pacific), which opened the doors for him to both the Brazilian and international markets, and eventually prompted his move to the United States in 1967.
In the United States, he recorded several solo albums, three of them for the renowned jazz label Blue Note, and one of them nominated for a Grammy Award. Moacir Santos was well known for His Latin-jazz-funk album Colors, released in 1975 on Milestone Records;, his subsequent albums produced by George Duke; and his many career highlights working with Cal Jader, Milton Nascimento, Sergio Mendes, Hermeto Pascoal, Flora Purim and many of the greats.
Moacir Santos also wrote soundtracks in Hollywood and taught numerous students, including Sergio Mendes.
In July of 2006, Moacir Santos was awarded the prestigious Shell Music Award in his homeland of Brazil. The award has recognized many figures from MPB, such as Paulinho da Viola, Baden Powell, and Gilberto Gil. The timing of the award was most appropriate, as Santos was set to celebrate his 80th birthday on July 26th. From Los Angeles, where he had made his home since 1967, Santos said, “It seems like a dream, but I know it’s a reality.” Producer Mario Adnet, who with his partner Ze Nogueira were responsible for reintroducing the saxophonist/arranger/maestro and composer to Brazil with 2001’s Ouro Negro, and Choros & Alegria in 2005, affirmed that the award crowned Moacir’s rediscovery.
Moacir Santos died August 6, 2006, in Pasadena, California.
Discography
Luiza (RCA Victor, 1964)
Coisas (Forma, 1965)
Maestro (Blue Note, 1972)
Both Feet on the Ground, with Kenny Burrell (Fantasy, 1973)
Saudade (Blue Note, 1974)
Carnival of the Spirits (Blue Note, 1975)
Opus 3, No. 1 (Discovery, 1978)
Ouro Negro (Adventure Music, 2004)
Choros & Alegria (Adventure Music, 2005)
Bibliography
Cancioneiro Moacir Santos – Choros e Alegria, Paperback (Jobim Music. 2005)
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.
Is the a pubished book of Moacir Santos compositions?
Yes, there is a book. We added it under Bibliography