GROUP TARUÍRA
Petrópolis-Rio de Janeiro-Brazil
Taruíra, in the district of Espírito Santo, is the popular name of the gecko. This was the name adopted 5 years ago by a trio of musicians who wanted to play the Choro.
The quintet was formed later and, right away, they started the production of their first phonographic work.
With the musicians Breno Morais (flute and saxophone), Carlos Watkins (saxophones), Guto Menezes (cavaquinho), Igor Nicolai (7-string guitar) and Márcia Villar (tambourine), the first CD was recorded and released in 2007.
This first CD, simply entitled by the name of the group, has 14 songs by writers such as Pixinguinha, Tom Jobim, Hermeto Paschoal, Guerra Peixe, Maurice Ravel, Garoto and others. This was just a sample of what was already been played in the group's presentations.
The work is independent and was ready to be released in November, with arrangements signed by the mandolin player Paulo Sá, who gave the disc a more original look, exploring the natural potenciality of the group of the musicians and mixing many influences of the good music with their versatility in the performance of the songs.
The group is proud to mention the special guests of the record, great names of the instrumental music such as Jorginho do Pandeiro (Época de Ouro), Celsinho Silva (Nó em Pingo D' Água), Andréa Ernest Dias (Pife Muderno and Pixinguinha Quintet) and Durval Pereira (Pife Muderno).
The musician Yuri Garrido, drummer and percussionist, was later invited to enrich the quality of the group even more with his art, turning the quintet into a sextet and giving the group the ideal formation thought by this brave team full of deserving victories.
The Taruíra music style is not only a retrospective but has also a new proposal.
MUSICIANS
Breno Morais
Began his studies in the Canarinhos of Petrópolis Music School, acting as singer and flute player in the 90's. Participated of all the trips made by the group. Had that time the following teachers: Frei José Luís Prim, Gilberto Bitencourt and Marco Aurélio Lischt.
In 1993 integrated the selected group of the Canarinhos in a tour to the United States, where took part in seminars and presentations during 30 days.
In the years of 1996, 1997 and 1998 participated of the Curitiba's Music Workshop, standing out in the flute performance, fundamental instrument for the children's musicalization.
In 2001 and 2002 acted as a singer in the Petrópolis City Choir and as a flute player in the Catholic University Chamber Orchestra.
In 2002 was invited to take part in the II Canarinhos Summer Festival, where took the Regency Tips, Choir Performance and Children's Teachers Musicalization courses. Also took a Group Practice course with Itiberê Zwarg and a Flute and Saxophone course with Eduardo Neves and Mauro Senise.
In 2006, participated effectively of César Nascimento's CD, which was released in Cow Party opening in São Luís do Maranhão. Was, also with César, part of the cultural station break recordings for a Brazilian cable channel, Futura.
Nowadays has as flute teachers the flute player Andréa Ernest Dias and the saxophonist Carlos Watkins. Studies harmony in CIGAM, plays a duo with the pianist André Mendes and is part of Maria Comprida Jazz Band.
Guto Menezes
Born in Volta Redonda, Rio, began his musical studies of popular guitar and functional harmony at the age of 13 with Arnaldo Oliveira Alves, who remained as his teacher until he was 16. Later, studied popular guitar and electric guitar with Rodrigo D'Ávila and, at the age of 17, had cavaquinho lessons with Cezinha do Cavaco.
Besides that, took part in Contraponto Choir, conducted by maestro Carlos Eduardo Fecher, for 3 years, having choir performance lessons with him and travelling all around the country.
At the age of 18 joined the UFRJ Choro School, where for 3 years learned cavaquinho from Luciana Rabello and Jayme Vignoli and also took a Musical Perception course with Adamo Prince.
In 2002 took Choir Performance and Musical Theory private lessons with maestro Marcelo Vizanni.
In 2003 began in the theatre as musical director of the plays “1964” and “My samba is born like this”, by Cláudio Rodrigues, and “The transparent horse”, “If things were mothers”, “The dot which makes poetry” and “Ervilina and Princês”, by Sylvia Orthof.
In 2004 participated of the Dell'Arte Winter Course, taking harmony and improvisation lessons with the teacher and pianist Cláudio Daulsberg. Besides this, took also music theory and solfeggio lessons with Léo Rugero.
In 2006 was part of shows of the singer and songwriter born in Maranhão César Nascimento, with whom performed on the radio and TV.
Worked as music teacher in Creativity School for 2 years teaching children's musicalization with flute and other instruments.
Taught cavaquinho and children's musicalization in the social project “Santa Clara Family”. In the same year worked as musical director of the Lira Teatral Mamatonalona Theatre Company.
Nowadays is musical director of the Open Book Theatre Company, founded by the writer Sylvia Orthof, integrates the groups Samba'N'Ganga, Balaiô and teaches cavaquinho and guitar.
Carlos Watkins
Degree in Musical Education – Villa Lobos Institute (former FEFIERJ, current UNI-RIO) – 1972 to 1975;
Saxophone lessons with Paulo Moura – 1974-1975;
Part of the Rio Jazz Orchestra – 1974-1978;
Part of the whistle and chords sextet of the student's orchestra of Villa Lobos Institute – 1973-1975;
Musical director of the children's group The Storytellers – 1976-1977;
Studies at the Berklee College of Music in Boston, US – 1978-1979;
Part of Orquestra Ideal, salsa group, in Boston, US – 1979;
Part of the instrumental group Avoante, playing Brazilian music;
Show in Roberto Gnatalli Funarte Room (Sebastião Tapajós resents Roberto Gnatalli) – 1980;
Eduardo Dusek and Zizi Possi supporting musician;
Part in Lívio Tragtenberg's independent CD (São Paulo);
Part of the group Together New Music of erudite contemporary music – 1982.
Member of the Men's Group, supporting group of the singer and songwriter Reinaldo Vargas, of the Vittor Santos orchestra, of the Choro group Chapéu de Palha, of the Choro group Chorarte and of the Petrópolis Whistle Quintet.
Márcia Villar
Began to study the tambourine in 2002, under the supervision of Celsinho Silva and Jorginho do Pandeiro in the UFRJ Choro Workshop, nowadays called Portable School of Music.
Participated of the tambourine workshop, by the teacher Marcos Suzano.
Acted in the play “To Jacob and his Mandolins”, that took place in Cecília Meireles Room and was recorded in CD and released in December 2003.
Performed as supporting musician of the great Álvaro Carrilho, Walcir 7 Strings and Paulo Sá.
Received the invitation to integrate Taruíra in 2005, performing at Petrópolis City Theatre and, in Rio, at Mistura Fina and Estrela da Lapa, among others.
Nowadays is part of the group Taruíra and also performs with Paulão 7 Strings, who runs a traditional samba group in Santa Tereza, Rio.
Igor Nicolai
Began his musical life at the age of 6 as member of Petrópolis Canarinhos Choir, joining many excursions around the country. At that time, had singing lessons with the teacher Annelise Kersten and Frei José Luiz Prim and musical theory with maestros Gilberto Bittencourt and Marco Aurélio Lischt.
Had an important role in the Petropolitan choir scenery, singing in many well known city choirs.
Started his guitar studies at the age of 14 with teachers such as Dorival Lessa, Marcus Ferrer, Maurício Carrilho and Luiz Otavio Braga.
Studies today Harmony and Arrangements at the IAN GUEST music school, where many famous musicians had classes.
Was part of a Sesc project called Choro at Thursdays, that presented to the audience, weekly, an important name of the Brazilian Choro scenery.
Acted as supporting musician in performances of the American mandolin player Marylinn Mair and nowadays is also a member of the Choro group Sá Four, which made in 2007 an important tour around Europe.
Yuri Garrido
Began studying the drums, and later on, the percussion, with teacher Luciano Sarandy from 1999 to 2003.
In 2004 studied with Pascoal Meirelles and in 2007 with Oscar Bolão at the Portable School of Music, in Rio de Janeiro.
Plays professionally since 2001. Works nowadays with Paulo Sá (Sá Four), Maria Comprida Jazz Band and Taruíra.
Was part of the following groups and artists' teams: Imperador Pedro II, Herdeiros da Tribo, Petrosamba, Natural Dread, Folha Seca, MPBossa, AquinoBrasil, Acaso, A&M, Trampo, Bira, Ramer Ribeiro, Pedro Ribeiro, Ramon Rabello, André Henriques, among others.
Acts since 2001 as a teacher, having already worked at the music schools Work Music Courses and Groove Music.
With the quartet Sá Four travelled around Europe in a tour, performing in many cities such as Salerno, Pompeii, Rome and others. At that time ran workshops on drums and percussion applied to the Brazilian music.
With the martial band Imperador Pedro II, playing drums and percussion, achieved five denominations on district levels (Miguel Pereira, Campos dos Goitacazes, Rio das Ostras, Guapimirim e Miguel Pereira one more time) until 2002.
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