Brazil is a country as large as the USA, with an enormously diverse resource of rhythms and musical forms, yet  most music lovers are only aware of two aspects of Brazilian music: samba and bossa nova. Carlos Oliveira, with his rhythmically dynamic guitar style as well as his tropically rich compositions, introduces his listeners to a new world of festive and emotional music...Oliveira hails from Recife, a city in the northeast part of Brazil. This area is especially rich in African influences, and is a source of a unique regional music, which has greatly influenced Brazilian music as a whole. Deeply affected by his exposure to American jazz, Oliveira moved to the USA to expand his contact with the music, further his studies in composition and arranging, and expand his performance possibilities.

One of the most highly-regarded musicians of the Bay Area Brazilian community, Carlos Oliveira has performed with and/or recorded with Claudia Villela, Claudia Gomez, Andy Narell, Sandy Cressman (Homenagem Brasileira,) Celia Malheiros, Eddie Duran, Ricardo Peixoto, Mike Marshall, Jeff Linskey. He is a first-call musician for countless recording projects; this versatile player is also an expert bassist and percussionist.

Carlos Oliveira's Brasil Nordeste evolved from a long-term musical partnership with multi-reed player Harvey Wainapel. The duo is often expanded to trio or quartet format (adding percussion and/or bass). Oliveira recorded on Wainapel's 1996 CD "Ambrosia," and  one of Oliveira's compositions is featured on Wainapel's critically-acclaimed 1998 CD "The Hang " (performed in duo with piano master Kenny Barron).

Harvey Wainapel plays soprano, alto, and tenor saxophones, as well as a great deal of clarinet (especially in the Brazilian context). His extensive jazz experience includes working with such notables as McCoy Tyner, Joe Lovano, Ray Charles. His musicality and deep love for all Brazilian sounds has led him to perform with some of the Masters of Brazilian music, including Dori Caymmi, Airto Moreira, Flora Purim, Jovino Santos Neto, Guinga, Manfredo Fest, Claudio Slon, Marcos Silva, Mike Marshall (Choro Famoso). In performances with Oliveira, Wainapel has been known to also add a little spice in the form of Brazilian percussion.

Oliveira and Wainapel's musical rapport and energy gained from years of exploring  and performing together in the widest possible range of situations -- is evident from the first note of a concert. Much of Brazil's music is based on dance forms; you may find your feet acting up  in new ways while enjoying Brasil Nordeste!
 

Music Samples
+200 kb mp3 files

Samba Um

Embolada

Marcha Triste

Quarteto Jobim-Morelenbaum

Quarteto CD Liner Notes 
by Caetano Veloso

Sam Mangwana

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