Biography
Renowned throughout Brazil for his exceptional drumming prowess, Pascoal Meirelles has also distinguished himself as a composer and arranger while logging countless hours as a session player alongside Tom Jobim, Gonzaguinha, Hélio Delmiro, Wagner Tiso, Chico Buarque, Danilo Caymmi, Edu Lobo, Paulo Moura, Maysa, Wilson Simonal, João Bosco, and Ivan Lins. His debut solo outing, Considerações a Respeito, appeared in 1981 and was succeeded by further solo releases in 1983, 1987, 1992, and 1998, plus a 1995 compilation. Meirelles co-founded the instrumental ensemble Cama de Gato, whose multiple albums and international itinerary have encompassed performances across Brazil, Spain, France, Belgium, and the United States. Although initially self-taught, he turned professional at eighteen in his native city. In 1966 he assembled Tempo Trio, whose Odeon recording marked his first album appearance. Relocating to Rio de Janeiro in 1967, he joined Paulo Moura’s ensemble and collaborated in the studio and on stage with Maysa, Wilson Simonal, João Bosco, Ivan Lins, and additional artists. The group Festa Brasil, whose roster also included Simone, Tenório Jr., Fernando Leporace, Chiquito Braga, and João de Aquino, took him to Mexico in 1972 and the United States two years later. A 1975 scholarship brought him to Berklee College of Music in Boston, where he remained through 1979; during that period he appeared in American jazz venues, staged the production Saravá in New York, and contributed to Tom Jobim’s double album Terra Brasilis. Back in Brazil he spent more than a decade as a member of Gonzaguinha’s band while also participating in recordings by Hélio Delmiro (“Emotiva”), Wagner Tiso (“Coração de Estudante”), Chico Buarque (“Ópera do Malandro”), Danilo Caymmi (“Cheiro Verde”), and Edu Lobo. In his role as educator he conducted workshops throughout Europe, published the instructional volume A Bateria Musical in 2001, and promptly issued the album Forro Brabo. After devoting the ensuing three years primarily to teaching, he resurfaced in 2004 with the trio album Tom, a tribute to Antonio Carlos Jobim featuring Alberto Continentino on bass and Nelson Faria on guitar, with Kiko Continentino adding keyboards to several tracks. In 2006 the same trio, along with his sextet and Cama de Gato, all figured prominently on Quarenta, produced by Arnaldo DeSouteiro. Meirelles returned to the studio in 2007 to cut his next project with an all-star Brazilian lineup that included pianist Jota Moraes, saxophonist Mauro Senise, bassist André Neiva, and trumpeter Jessé Sadoc. The resulting album, Ostinato, originally surfaced on Delira in 2010 and was later remastered and reissued in 2018.
Albums
