Biography
Reputed Brazilian drummer and percussionist Robertinho Silva built an extensive career performing and recording alongside leading figures in music. His global profile took shape through appearances at MIDEM in Cannes, France, during 1973 and at the Montreux Jazz Festival in Switzerland the following year.
Silva developed his drumming skills without formal instruction and turned professional at age fifteen by joining ensembles such as Conjunto Flamingo. Two years later he spent a two-year period studying under Albano Mesquita and Joaquim Neagle. His debut studio session occurred in 1964 when he supported Caubi Peixoto. An introduction to Milton Nascimento in 1969 led to a lasting role as the singer’s regular accompanist. In 1970 Silva entered the group Som Imaginário and remained until 1974, contributing to both of the band’s albums issued in 1970 and 1971. Additional sideman work linked him to João Donato, Marcos Valle, Gilberto Gil, Taiguara, Toninho Horta, Roberto Carlos, Gal Costa, João Bosco, Paulo Moura, and numerous other artists.
After relocating to the United States in 1974 for a four-year stay, he performed behind Airto Moreira, Moacyr Santos, Ron Carter, Wayne Shorter, Shelly Manne, Peggy Lee, Cal Tjader, Sarah Vaughan, George Duke, Flora Purim, and Egberto Gismonti, among others. His first solo release appeared in 1981 as part of the Música Popular Brasileira Contemporânea series on Polygram and featured guest contributions from Raul de Souza and Egberto Gismonti. Subsequent projects included the 1984 album Bateria, followed by Bodas de Prata in 1989, Speak No Evil in 1991, and the internationally distributed Shot on Goal in 1995. In 1985 he collaborated with pianist Luiz Eça and bassist Luiz Alves on the recording Triângulo. The percussionist inaugurated the Centro de Percussão Alternativo Robertinho Silva in Rio de Janeiro in 1997, where he maintained an active schedule of drums and percussion workshops, and he issued the album Jaquedu in 2000.
Silva developed his drumming skills without formal instruction and turned professional at age fifteen by joining ensembles such as Conjunto Flamingo. Two years later he spent a two-year period studying under Albano Mesquita and Joaquim Neagle. His debut studio session occurred in 1964 when he supported Caubi Peixoto. An introduction to Milton Nascimento in 1969 led to a lasting role as the singer’s regular accompanist. In 1970 Silva entered the group Som Imaginário and remained until 1974, contributing to both of the band’s albums issued in 1970 and 1971. Additional sideman work linked him to João Donato, Marcos Valle, Gilberto Gil, Taiguara, Toninho Horta, Roberto Carlos, Gal Costa, João Bosco, Paulo Moura, and numerous other artists.
After relocating to the United States in 1974 for a four-year stay, he performed behind Airto Moreira, Moacyr Santos, Ron Carter, Wayne Shorter, Shelly Manne, Peggy Lee, Cal Tjader, Sarah Vaughan, George Duke, Flora Purim, and Egberto Gismonti, among others. His first solo release appeared in 1981 as part of the Música Popular Brasileira Contemporânea series on Polygram and featured guest contributions from Raul de Souza and Egberto Gismonti. Subsequent projects included the 1984 album Bateria, followed by Bodas de Prata in 1989, Speak No Evil in 1991, and the internationally distributed Shot on Goal in 1995. In 1985 he collaborated with pianist Luiz Eça and bassist Luiz Alves on the recording Triângulo. The percussionist inaugurated the Centro de Percussão Alternativo Robertinho Silva in Rio de Janeiro in 1997, where he maintained an active schedule of drums and percussion workshops, and he issued the album Jaquedu in 2000.
Albums
