LP
artist and renowned percussionist, Airto, and
I first met in 1968 when he was playing music
in a small lounge called Lost And Found on 40th
St. and Lexington, in New York City. I was just
beginning my musical instrument business, which
would grow into Latin Percussion, and
much of my promotion depended on visits to Latin
dance and "after-hours" clubs. Airto’s
strong desire to play Latin music led him to
accompany me to these clubs with the hope that
he would be invited to sit in with the musicians.
As this did not occur, Airto decided to focus
his musical energies on Jazz.
His first job was with Stan Getz and Joao Gilberto
at the Rainbow Room in the Rockefeller Center
in New York City. Eventually, Airto joined Miles
Davis’s band and recorded the historic
Bitches Brew album with him. His use of percussion
instruments indigenous to Brazil, while working
with Miles and other high profile musicians,
brought percussion to the world stage.
Airto has also played with JJ Johnson, Cedar Walton,
Cannonball Adderley, Weather Report, Carlos
Santana, and Return to Forever. He is an exciting
drum set player and band leader, as well as
a percussionist, and has recently been touring
with his wife, bringing his exciting brand of
jazz, infused with the rhythms of his Native
Brazil, to music lovers in many countries.
Recently Airto was in the town for the Modern
Drummer Festival and he stopped by the LP studio
for an interview
and to record some great percussion tracks.
To listen click here. Track
1 Track
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