Biography
Antonio Adolfo, born Antônio Adolfo Maurity Sabóia, grew up in a musical family in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, where his mother, Yolanda Maurity, was a violinist in the Brazilian Symphony Orchestra. He began music studies at age seven with violin under Paulina D'Ambrozzio, switched to piano at 15 studying with teachers including Amyrton Vallim, Werther Politano, Wilma Graça, Eumir Deodato, and later Nadia Boulanger in Paris in 1973. By 17, he was a professional musician leading his own trio in Bossa Nova and jazz shows across Brazil, touring with prominent singers like Leny Andrade, Carlos Lyra, Flora Purim, Wilson Simonal, Elis Regina, and Milton Nascimento in the 1960s.[1][2][3][5]
Adolfo's career evolved as a pianist, composer, arranger, and producer, pioneering independent music production in Brazil with his 1977 label Artezanal and album Feito em Casa. He composed hits like 'Pretty World' (originally 'Sa Marina'), covered by Sergio Mendes, Stevie Wonder, Herb Alpert, Earl Klugh, and Dionne Warwick, and won international song contests in Rio (1969-1970) and Athens (1970). Releasing over 25 albums as a leader, he has performed globally, including U.S. jazz festivals, and worked on tributes to Brazilian composers like Chiquinha Gonzaga and Ernesto Nazareth. His style blends sophisticated jazz with Brazilian rhythms, including bossa nova, samba, and latin jazz.[1][2][3][4]
As an educator, Adolfo founded a music school in Rio in 1985 now serving over 1,300 students, authored books on Brazilian music, and taught worldwide, including at Centro Calouste Gulbenkian with peers like Pascoal Meirelles. A multi-Latin Grammy nominee, his legacy spans six decades as Brazil's leading jazz pianist, arranger, and producer, influencing generations through recordings, performances, and education.[1][2][3][4]
Fun Facts
- Composed 'Pretty World' (originally 'Sa Marina'), which became a global hit recorded by Stevie Wonder, Sergio Mendes, Herb Alpert, Earl Klugh, and Dionne Warwick.
- Pioneered independent music production in Brazil by launching his Artezanal label in 1977 with the all-original album Feito em Casa.
- Founded his own music school in Rio de Janeiro in 1985, which now has over 1,300 students focused on Brazilian music education.
- Met Milton Nascimento at the 1967 Second International Song Festival in Rio, leading to decades of collaboration and a tribute album.
Musical Connections
Mentors/Influences
- Eumir Deodato - piano teacher (early piano training) [1960s]
- Nadia Boulanger - classical studies in Paris (formal composition training) [1973]
- Amyrton Vallim - piano teacher (piano studies) [late 1950s-1960s]
- Werther Politano - piano teacher (piano studies) [late 1950s-1960s]
- Wilma Graça - piano teacher (piano studies) [late 1950s-1960s]
- Paulina D'Ambrozzio - violin teacher (initial music studies) [age 7, mid-1950s]
- Guerra Peixe - harmony and composition studies (post-Paris training) [1975]
- Esther Scliar - harmony and composition studies (post-Paris training) [1975]
Key Collaborators
- Leny Andrade - touring singer (Bossa Nova and Jazz shows) [1960s]
- Carlos Lyra - touring singer (Bossa Nova and Jazz shows) [1960s]
- Flora Purim - touring singer (Bossa Nova and Jazz shows) [1960s]
- Wilson Simonal - touring singer (Bossa Nova and Jazz shows) [1960s]
- Elis Regina - touring and accompaniment (Europe tours, TV series music) [1969]
- Milton Nascimento - touring singer and later tribute album (1960s tours, BruMa: Celebrating Milton Nascimento) [1967 onward]
- Carol Saboya - singer in performances (South Florida Jazz, Pinecrest Jazz Festival) [2009-2019]
- Nilson Chaves - tribute album collaborator (Viva Chiquinha Gonzaga) [1985]
- Vital Lima - tribute album collaborator (Viva Chiquinha Gonzaga) [1985]
- Pascoal Meirelles - co-educator (Centro Calouste Gulbenkian teaching) [1985]
- Hélio Delmiro - co-educator (Centro Calouste Gulbenkian teaching) [1985]
Connection Network
External Links
References
Heard on WWOZ
Antonio Adolfo has been played 2 times on WWOZ 90.7 FM, New Orleans' jazz and heritage station.
| Date | Time | Title | Show | Spotify |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Jan 2, 2026 | 16:18 | Obafrom Carnival The Songs Were So Beautiful | Jazz from Jax Breweryw/ Charles Burchell | |
| Dec 27, 2025 | 14:48 | Phrygia Brasileirafrom Tema | Tudo Bem (Brazilian)w/ Dean Ellis |