Biography
Since the 1960s Déo Rian has safeguarded and advanced the choro tradition through decades of performance and mentorship. He collaborated on stage and in the studio with Jacob do Bandolim, Paulinho da Viola, Joel do Bandolim, Clara Nunes, Rafael Rabello, and numerous additional artists, while also sustaining a prominent solo career abroad. Rian first took up the cavaquinho at nine and soon became a regular visitor to the Retiro da Velha Guarda, where he heard Pixinguinha, Napoleão de Oliveira (founder of the rancho Ameno Resedá), Cincinato do Bandolim, Luperce Miranda, and Jacob do Bandolim. Influenced by the latter, he switched to mandolin. In 1961 he moved next door to his idol, received personal guidance, attended Época de Ouro rehearsals, and accepted an invitation to play cavaquinho with the ensemble. The following year Rádio Mauá engaged him as a professional musician. Accompanied by the Quinteto Villa-Lobos and the E.M.U.F.R.J. quartet, he released an Ernesto Nazareth tribute LP in 1970. After Jacob do Bandolim’s death the Época de Ouro disbanded and then reassembled in the early 1970s; Rian assumed his mentor’s chair. The reconstituted group backed Paulinho da Viola’s 1973 production Sarau. Two solo albums appeared in 1974—one on Odeon titled Choros de Sempre, the other on CID—while 1974 and 1976 saw the Continental releases Época de Ouro and Clube do Choro. The latter contained “Os Boêmios,” later featured in the telenovela Pecado Capital. In 1975 Rian issued a commercial project devoted to Roberto Carlos songs. Citing Jonas’s drinking difficulties, he departed Época de Ouro in 1977 and founded Noites Cariocas; that same year he supported Clara Nunes in the revue Canto das Três Raças. With his new ensemble he recorded the 1980 album Inéditos de Jacob do Bandolim, interpreting previously unpublished works by his teacher. During the 1990s he expanded his international profile with concerts in Japan. The 1993 BMG Ariola CD Rafael Rabello e Déo Rian documented his partnership with Rafael Rabello, and the 1996 release Choro em Família introduced several emerging players.
Albums
