Trio Mocoto

Biography

Trio Mocotó, a pioneering Brazilian band, was formed in 1968 at the Jogral nightclub in São Paulo by Fritz Escovão (vocalist and guitarist), João Parahyba (vocalist and drummer), and Nereu Gargalo (vocalist and percussionist). They gained prominence as the backing band for Jorge Ben, contributing to his seminal albums Fôrça Bruta (1969), Negro É Lindo, and A Tábua de Esmeralda, where they helped pioneer the samba-rock or sambalanço style—a fusion of samba, funk, soul, and rock rhythms. Their work at Jogral also involved supporting legends like Clementina de Jesus, Nelson Cavaquinho, Cartola, and international jazz figures such as Dizzy Gillespie, Duke Ellington, and Oscar Peterson, blending Brazilian grooves with global influences.[2][3][1]

The trio released their own albums starting in the early 1970s, including Muita Zorra (1971), Trio Mocotó (1973 and 1977), and scored a hit with 'Coqueiro Verde' (written by Erasmo Carlos) in 1971. After a hiatus of over two decades, they reformed in 2000, releasing Samba Rock (2001) and Beleza, Beleza, Beleza! (2003), followed by European tours and festival appearances. Skowa joined in 2003, replacing Fritz, but both passed away in 2024—Skowa from cardiac arrest in June and Fritz in October. Today, the band continues with original members João Parahyba and Nereu Gargalo alongside Melvin Santhana.[2][1][3]

Trio Mocotó's legacy lies in shaping samba-rock, influencing Brazilian black music and fusions of samba with American pop elements. They earned the APCA award for Best Group in 2001 and Nereu Gargalo's Samba Power won Best Album in 2006, cementing their enduring impact on Brazilian music.[2][4]

Fun Facts

• Trio Mocotó backed jazz icon Dizzy Gillespie in 1974 São Paulo sessions blending bebop with samba-rock; the album was shelved until rediscovered and released in 2010.[3][1]
• They had a 1971 hit with 'Coqueiro Verde,' written by Erasmo Carlos, which became a samba-rock classic.[2]
• The band's samba-rock groove originated from frequent jams with Jorge Ben at Jogral, featuring Fritz on cuíca, Nereu on tambourine, and João on timba and drums.[3][4]
• House band at Jogral, they supported samba masters like Cartola and international stars like Duke Ellington in legendary jams.[3]

Musical Connections

Mentors/Influences

• Clementina de Jesus - Backed as house musicians at Jogral nightclub (Live performances) [1968]
• Dizzy Gillespie - Collaborated on unreleased album sessions blending bebop and samba-rock (Dizzy Gillespie with Trio Mocotó (recorded 1974, released 2010)) [1974]

Key Collaborators

• Jorge Ben - Backing band for tours and recordings, shaping samba-rock sound (Fôrça Bruta (1969), Negro É Lindo, A Tábua de Esmeralda, Jorge Ben (1969)) [1968-early 1970s]
• Skowa - Replacement guitarist and vocalist (Reunion albums and tours) [2003-2024]
• João Parahyba - Founding member, vocalist and drummer (current) (All albums) [1968-present]
• Nereu Gargalo - Founding member, vocalist and percussionist (current) (All albums, solo Samba Power (2006)) [1968-present]
• Fritz Escovão - Founding member, vocalist and guitarist (Early albums and Jorge Ben collaborations) [1968-2003]

Artists Influenced

• Tim Maia - Inspired fusion of Brazilian and American pop music (Soul and funk recordings) [1970s]

External Links

• Spotify
• Wikipedia