Biography
Despite his preference for focusing solely on jazz and instrumental works—an area in which he earned a Sharp Award nomination for Best Instrumental CD of the Year—Fernando Merlino, an accomplished pianist, arranger, and composer, found the Brazilian market for those genres inhospitable and therefore turned to vocalists. Across studio sessions and concert stages, including many of the nation’s most prominent, he has collaborated with Caetano Veloso, Maria Bethânia, Gal Costa, Chico Buarque, Rosa Passos, Leny Andrade, Simone, Elba Ramalho, Nélson Gonçalves, Leila Pinheiro, Martinho da Vila, Alcione, Fátima Guedes, Beth Carvalho, Zeca Pagodinho, Jamelão, Jair Rodrigues, Baby do Brasil, Pery Ribeiro, Jorge Aragão, and Martinho da Vila.
Merlino launched his professional career with the Orquestra do Maestro Cipó and Chiquinho do Acordeon’s ensemble. After serving as a composer and arranger for Globo Networks, he joined Emílio Santiago’s backing band in 1982. His 1992 release, made with the group Kabbalah—the same ensemble with which he cut four additional albums issued in Japan—received a Sharp Award nomination for Best Instrumental Album of the Year. In 1993 he created the show Juntos alongside Leny Andrade. Working with Roberto Menescal as instrumentalist and arranger, he contributed to recordings by Venezuelan artist Luz Marina, Japanese performer Utsumi Miyuki, the Japanese instrumental ensemble the Square, and vocalists Cris Delanno and Lisa Ono.
Merlino launched his professional career with the Orquestra do Maestro Cipó and Chiquinho do Acordeon’s ensemble. After serving as a composer and arranger for Globo Networks, he joined Emílio Santiago’s backing band in 1982. His 1992 release, made with the group Kabbalah—the same ensemble with which he cut four additional albums issued in Japan—received a Sharp Award nomination for Best Instrumental Album of the Year. In 1993 he created the show Juntos alongside Leny Andrade. Working with Roberto Menescal as instrumentalist and arranger, he contributed to recordings by Venezuelan artist Luz Marina, Japanese performer Utsumi Miyuki, the Japanese instrumental ensemble the Square, and vocalists Cris Delanno and Lisa Ono.
Albums
Singles
