Nonato Luiz

Nonato Luiz stands among Brazil’s esteemed acoustic guitarists, known as a violonista whose style fuses classical technique with deeply rooted playing. By 2000 he had already issued fifteen albums inside Brazil plus multiple releases abroad. Beginning in the 1980s he embarked on annual European tours that earned him widespread recognition. He started on the cavaquinho at age three, became second violinist of the Symphonic Orchestra of Fortaleza at fifteen, and that same year chose the violão as his permanent instrument. Having begun composing, he captured first prize in the violão contest organized by São Paulo’s TV Tupi in 1975; he also appeared that year at the Winter Festival of Campos do Jordão, completing his studies with Turíbio Santos. In 1978 he joined Darcy Vila Verde on a nationwide Brazilian tour and then established residence in Rio de Janeiro. His debut album, Terra, appeared in 1980 and featured Fagner, João Donato, and Bimba. Two years later he recorded Diálogo alongside flamenco guitarist Pedro Soler and joined Mercedes Sosa, Paco de Lucia, and Rafael Alberti on a Pablo Picasso tribute album that also reached European markets. Another international recording followed in Johannesburg, South Africa, in 1984. During 1985 Luiz performed across Italy, France, and Austria, making his debut at Salzburg’s Mozarteum while cutting the Paris sessions for his own-composed album O Porto. Back in Brazil he collaborated with Chico Buarque, Fagner, Nara Leão, Luiz Gonzaga, and Amelinha. Guitarra Brasileira, taped in 1987, was issued during subsequent German and Austrian dates. Returning home in 1988, he released an album devoted to Milton Nascimento songs. The following year brought further concerts in Austria, Italy, France, and Germany together with the recording of Mosaico. In 1991 he again circled Austria, Switzerland, Italy, and Germany, issuing the worldwide release Retrato do Brasil; he also presented solo recitals at Cecília Meireles Hall, accompanied Fagner across Brazil, toured the northern and northeastern regions alone, and appeared at the Free Jazz Festival. After his yearly European itinerary in 1992, UNESCO sponsored a Paris season at the Salle de Cinema during which he recorded “Terra à Vista,” the official theme of Rio’s ECO 92 ecological conference. The next year he visited five Turkish cities in addition to Germany, Austria, Italy, Switzerland, and Spain. At the 1996 It’s Time for Brazil festival in New York he shared the stage with Manassés and accordionist Waldonys, the latter partnership having produced a live CD the prior year. His compositions were later collected and published by Henry Lemoine in Paris.