LAURINDO ALMEIDA

Biography

Laurindo Almeida (1917–1995) was a Brazilian virtuoso guitarist and composer who played a pivotal role in bridging classical, jazz, and Latin music. Born in Prainha near Santos in São Paulo, Brazil, into a musical family, Almeida was a self-taught guitarist. By his teenage years, he was already working as a radio artist, staff arranger, and nightclub performer in São Paulo. At 19, he traveled to Europe as a guitarist in a cruise ship orchestra, where a Paris performance by Django Reinhardt and Stéphane Grappelli left a lasting impression and deeply influenced his artistic direction.

Almeida moved to the United States in the late 1940s after being discovered by Stan Kenton in Rio de Janeiro. He became a featured guitarist in Kenton's band, gaining recognition for blending his Latin American roots with modern jazz. In the 1950s, Almeida formed his own groups and, with saxophonist Bud Shank, recorded the landmark 'Brazilliance' albums, which anticipated the bossa nova sound by nearly a decade. Almeida's career was marked by versatility: he recorded over a hundred albums, won five Grammy Awards (four in classical, one in jazz), and collaborated with major jazz and classical figures. He was also a prolific studio musician, contributing to over 800 film soundtracks. His innovative approach to fusing Brazilian rhythms with jazz and classical forms left an indelible mark on 20th-century music.

Fun Facts

• Laurindo Almeida was the first guitarist to win Grammy Awards in both classical and jazz categories.
• He performed on over 800 film soundtracks, including 'The Godfather' and 'Unforgiven'.
• Almeida claimed a friend invented the term 'bossa nova', which later became the name for the new Brazilian jazz style.
• He continued performing and recording actively until the week of his death in 1995.

Musical Connections

Mentors/Influences

• Django Reinhardt - Major stylistic inspiration after witnessing a live performance in Paris; influenced Almeida's approach to jazz guitar. (Inspired Almeida's early jazz fusion style) [1930s-1940s]
• Heitor Villa-Lobos - Close friend and inspiration; Almeida was the first guitarist to record Villa-Lobos's Five Preludes. (Villa-Lobos: Five Preludes) [1950s]

Key Collaborators

• Bud Shank - Frequent collaborator; co-created the 'Brazilliance' albums and pioneered samba-jazz and early bossa nova. (Laurindo Almeida Quartet Featuring Bud Shank (Brazilliance No. 1 & 2)) [1953-1955]
• Stan Kenton - Band leader who brought Almeida to the US; Almeida was featured guitarist in Kenton's orchestra. (Recordings and tours with Stan Kenton Orchestra) [Late 1940s]
• Modern Jazz Quartet - Collaborated on the album 'Collaboration', blending chamber jazz with Brazilian and classical influences. (Collaboration (1964)) [1964]
• Salli Terri and Martin Ruderman - Collaborators on the Grammy-winning album 'Duets with Spanish Guitar'. (Duets with Spanish Guitar (1958)) [1958]
• Charlie Byrd, Baden Powell, Stan Getz, Herbie Mann - Collaborated in various jazz and bossa nova projects, notably in the 1960s and 1970s. (Various recordings and live performances) [1960s-1970s]

Artists Influenced

• Linda Ronstadt - Cited Almeida's 'Duets with Spanish Guitar' as a formative influence on her musical development. (Duets with Spanish Guitar (as listener)) [1970s]
• Generations of jazz and classical guitarists - Inspired musicians worldwide through his pioneering cross-genre work and recordings. (Brazilliance, Duets with Spanish Guitar, Collaboration) [1950s-present]

Discography

Albums

Top Tracks

1. The Lamp Is Low (Classical Current)
2. My Reverie (Classical Current)
3. The Breeze and I (Classical Current)
4. Once Again (feat. Laurindo Almeida) (Stan Getz With Guest Artist Laurindo Almeida)
5. Baubles, Bangles and Beads (Classical Current)
6. Tea For Two (Brazilliance (feat. Bud Shank): Concert Creations For Guitar)
7. Menina Moca (feat. Laurindo Almeida) (Stan Getz With Guest Artist Laurindo Almeida)
8. Till the End of Time (Classical Current)
9. Full Moon and Empty Arms (Classical Current)
10. The Girl From Ipanema / Manha De Carnaval (Medley)

External Links

• Spotify
• Wikipedia
• MusicBrainz

Tags: #guitar, #jazz, #latin-jazz