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Singer,
guitarist and songwriter Marco Figueira was born in Carangola,
a small town in the state of Minas Gerais, Brazil. His
love of music found its expression early on, when he began
to sing and play guitar at the age of eight. A move to
Rio de Janeiro in his teen years presented Marco with
the first real opportunities for serious musical study.
He studied classical guitar privately with Luis Antonio
Perez, a well-known Rio teacher, and later enrolled at
the prestigious Pro Arte Music Conservatory. There, he
studied classical guitar with Léo Soares and popular
guitar with Henrique Lissovsky. During this time Marco
also studied voice privately with Heloisa Madeira, and
sang in the Pro Arte choir, whose eclectic repertoire
ranged from Beethoven to Villa Lobos to Jobim. Throughout
this period, Marco continued to explore his passion for
the music of Brazil’s most beloved popular artists,
such as Antonio Carlos Jobim, Caetano Veloso, Gilberto
Gil, Milton Nascimento and Joyce. Inspired by these musical
heroes, Marco began composing his own songs.
In 1988, Marco fulfilled a long-held dream of moving to
New York City. It was here that he quickly established
himself as both a solo performer and bandleader, playing
for a devoted following in a wide variety of venues. As
it has for so many musicians over the years, New York
afforded Marco the chance to study and play with some
of the top performers in Brazilian and American jazz.
He studied guitar with Paulo André Tavares, Romero
Lubambo and Paul Meyers, and voice with Datevik Hovanesian.
Brazilliance, Marco’s first recording for Blue Toucan
Music, is the result of that serendipitous meeting of
musical minds. On it, we are treated to Marco’s
mellow yet swinging vocals, backed by the elegance of
Paulo André’s guitar and a "dream team"
rhythm section of Hélio Alves (piano), Paulo Braga
(drums), and Sergio Brandão (bass). Paulo André
also provided the impeccable arrangements for all twelve
of the tracks on this CD, four of which are brought to
even greater heights by the sumptuous string arrangements
of the renowned Eumir Deodato. As if these musical riches
were not enough, the album is graced by the guest appearances
of some of the finest soloists in Brazilian and American
jazz: Claudio Roditi (trumpet), Hendrik Meurkens (harmonica)
and Hiram Bullock (guitar). The musical roster is further
enhanced by the tasteful percussion work of Mauro Refosco,
and the sleek backing vocals of Kerry Linder and Luiz
Simas.
The CD includes five sparkling originals by Marco as well
as works by some of the greatest composers of bossa nova
and MPB: Tom Jobim, João Bosco, Milton Nascimento,
Roberto Menescal, Lenine and Rosa Passos. In addition
to the familiar samba and bossa nova, the album’s
varied repertoire covers quite a bit of rhythmic ground,
including the northeastern Brazilian afoxé and
baião, as well as a track that mixes several of
the musical styles indigenous to Brazil’s South
American neighbors. Whether singing a wistful ballad or
a lively samba, Marco’s smooth voice and effortless
charm turn each song into a sensuous journey to the heart
of Brazil, and his original tunes embody the joy and enchantment
of that captivating country. Brazilliance is an auspicious
debut for this talented singer/songwriter, and is sure
to create new Marco Figueira fans wherever it is heard |
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