Claudio Celso (born August 4, 1955) is a Brazilian guitarist, composer and arranger. His work includes jazz, bossa nova and Brazilian popular music. He was considered in 2000 one of the best jazz contemporary musicians by South Florida "New Times" magazine and listed in the world´s top 100 guitarists by Brazil´s Guitar Player magazine in 2006.
Claudio is known for his impeccable technique and deep jazz roots and for his breadth of experience.
EARLY YEARS
Claudio Celso was born in São Paulo, Brazil. He began playing guitar at the age of four. He initially studied classical guitar and then learned bossa nova and jazz with guitarist/composer Paulinho Nogueira and also with his father, Nilson M. Celso, who was an early electric guitarist in Brazil.
PERFORMER
Initially his career included touring with the Brazilian instrumental ensemble Zimbo Trio along with Argentinian saxophonist Héctor Costita for over two years. He also accompanied major popular artists with the Tupi Television Orchestra while in his hometown, São Paulo.
From 1978 until 1985 he was based in New York City and worked with jazz producers Teo Macero, Creed Taylor, Roy Cicala and Eumir Deodato, and musicians Jaco Pastorius, Eddie Gomez, Randy Brecker, Chet Baker, Roberta Flack, Dexter Gordon, Kenny Kirkland, Larry Willis, Cecil McBee, Frank Colon, Naná Vasconcellos, Bebel Gilberto, Edison Machado, Richie Morales, Manolo Badrena, Will Lee, Tim Capello, Steve Thorton, Ted Bass, Dennis Irwin, Wayne Dockery, Shunzo Ono, Terumasa Hino, Frank Ferrucci, Claudio Roditi, Lloyd McNeil, Lester Chambers, Calvin Hill, Buddy Williams, Paquito d’Rivera, Clifford Adam and Dom Um Romão.
He played at the Newport Jazz Festival in 1979 and at the Cool Jazz Festival in 1980, both in New York City, with saxophonist Charlie Rouse and pianist Don Salvador.
As studio musician, he participated in the recording of Claudio Roditi's “Red on Red” (Greene St Records), Guanabara´s “The Brazilian Beat of Guanabara” (Baystate Records), Frank Ferrucci's “Jewel Eyes” (Wren Records) and Lloyd McNeil's “Elegia” (Baobab Records).
From 1986 to 1989 he played with internationally renowned Brazilian trombonist Raul de Souza, touring throughout Brazil.
In 1989 he spent some time in San Francisco, leading the "Rain Forest" band. They performed at the Monterey Jazz Festival and, in 1990, at the "EarthDay Concert" in New York.
In 1991 he signed a contract as recording artist with Sony Music in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. He also recorded three albums with Brazilian popular singers Sandra de Sa, Alceu Valenca and Lobao, and a music video with Marisa Monte.
In March 1995 while in Austin, Texas, he recorded a music video with American singer Evelyn Thomas with a special appearance of American country musician Willie Nelson.
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In mid 1995 he started writing for "Guitar Player" magazine and has his first instructional jazz guitar video published in Brazil.
In 1997, he participated in the recording of the CD "Amazon Moon with the Music of Mike Stoller" by pianist Guilherme Vergueiro and the legendary songwriter Mike Stoller (from "Stoller and Liebman"), composer of "Stand By Me", "Jail House Rock" and other big hits.
In 1998, Claudio released his CD "Brazilian Jazz by Claudio Celso" at O´Hara´s Jazz Club in Hollywood, Florida, followed by a great performance at the Hollywood Jazz Festival. In the same year he played at the Jupiter Jazz Festival with Grupo Saoco, and at some fine jazz clubs in South Florida with his own band.
In 1999, Claudio played at the River Walk Jazz Festival, MIDEM and some local events, as well as conducted jazz clinics for the City of Miami in Public Libraries.
In May 8, 1999, he packed a sold-out concert as the headliner at the Margaret Morrow Frizzell Amphitheater in Fort Meyers, Florida.
In 2000, Claudio joined the “Jazzberry Patch” band led by Florida´s local legendary saxophonist Ben Champion who has been bassist Jaco Pastorius´ musical mentor. Claudio also played with Cuban-American jazz trumpeter, pianist, and composer Arturo Sandoval and American singer Evelyn Thomas at the Lincoln Theater in Miami Beach.
In 2001, his CD "Brazilian Jazz" was re-released by CW Records and MusicHaus, distributed by Universal.
In 2002, he joined the Clockwork band with saxophonist Carlos Aberoff, founder of Cuban group Irakere. He also played with Brazilian percussionist Nana Vasconcelos at the Miami Art Museum.
From 2002 to early 2003, he lived in Los Angeles and made his debut at the world-famous "The Baked Potato” Jazz Club with his band including drummer Gerry Brown (Stanley Clark, Stevie Wonder), percussionist Munyungo Jackson (Miles Davis, Stevie Wonder, Sting), pianist and keyboardist Mark Stevens (Stanley Clark, Seal) and bassist Keith Jones. He also played at the African Festival of Los Angeles, World Stage of Billy Higgins and participated in the world music program “Global Village” at radio KPFK, playing live some of his compositions and giving an extensive interview.
Back to Brazil, he performed at the Joinville Jazz Festival in June 2005.
In 2006, he launched his CD “Swell - A Brazilian Cool Jazz Experience”, which includes smooth compositions with a quite modern jazzistic approach. An interview with Claudio Celso and a complete coverage of his CD "Swell" was published in the August issue of the Brazilian Guitar Player magazine.
In 2007, he was interviewed by Jo Soares at his TV Talk Show which averages about 4,6 million viewers in Brazil.
In 2010, he launched two CDs while in the United States: "The Music of Claudio Celso", and the acoustic “Surf Life” composed of a new set of delicate melodies. Sponsored by the City of Hollywood, Florida, Claudio had an acoustic solo performance at the "Hollywood Art Walk" project.
In 2013, under the "Rouanet Law", which allows taxpayers (both individuals and corporations) to make donations or sponsorships to cultural projects and get tax exemption, he received a grant from the Brazilian Ministry of Culture for a project which includes concerts and workshops throughout Brazil, and the recording of two new CDs.
In the years that followed, Claudio gave a series of workshops at Cultural Center SESC and played at some jazz clubs in the city of Santos as well as at the renowned Bourbon Street Music Club in Sao Paulo.
In early 2015, Claudio performed his Suite “Axis Mundi” at the Coliseu Theater in Santos, Brazil - with the Symphonic Orchestra of Santos – a concert designed for electric guitar and orchestra. This project unites both classical and contemporary music in an effort to revitalize passion and interest for symphonic instruments in young audiences all around the world. The event celebrated the city´s 469th birthday and had a sold out audience.
Back in Los Angeles late 2015, Claudio started the pre-production of his EP "Alpha Solaris", consisting of a series of compositions to musically tell the fantasy story of an astronaut on a lonely journey in search of a new planet for mankind. It was later recorded in 2018 at CDAudio Studios, Sao Paulo, where Claudio Celso had the privilege of having the late legendary bassist Arthur Maia participate in the recording.
During 2019 and 2020, Claudio releases the albums "Alpha Solaris", "Axis Mundi", "Simetria", "A Brazilian Cool Jazz Experience" (a remake of his previous "Swell" album) and three acoustic guitar albums: "Agreste, "Quilombo" and "Arraial" (Boom Boom Records) based on the sound of pure folkloric Brazilian grass roots music.
Back in Brazil in 2021, Claudio writes a set of 22 new original musical pieces. He calls It - the result of a lifetime in music, ranging from all influences including up tempo sambas dressed in elaborated chord changes (modulations), baião and modern jazz influences. This new repertoire is performed in a trio format composed of acoustic guitar, electric/upright bass and drums/percussion.
DISCOGRAPHY
(2020) Axis Mundi - A Suite for Guitar and Orchestra (Claudio Celso) - Boom Boom Rds - CD
(2019) Alpha Solaris - (Claudio Celso) Boom Boom Records - EP
(2019) Arraial (Claudio Celso) – Boom Boom Records - Single
(2019) Simetria (Claudio Celso) – Boom Boom Records - Single
(2019) Quilombo (Claudio Celso) – Boom Boom Records - EP
(2019) Agreste (Claudio Celso) – Boom Boom Records - Single
(2019) A Brazilian Cool Jazz Experience (Claudio Celso) – Boom Boom Records - EP
(2013) Turno di Notte (Francesco Lattanzi) DC Records/Italy – CD
(2010) The Music of Claudio Celso (Claudio Celso) - Reverbnation - CD
(2010) Surf Life (Claudio Celso) – CDBaby - CD
(2009) Sambatuque (Salaberry) - Tum Tum Home Music - CD
(2007) Swell – A Brazilian Cool Jazz Experience (Claudio Celso) - Maritaca – CD
(1998) Amazon Moon with the Music of Mike Stoller (Guilherme Vergueiro) - CD
(1998) Padre Pio (Giacomo Piraino) – Boca Raton/Florida – CD
(1998) Brazilian Jazz by Claudio Celso (Claudio Celso) - Universal Music - CD
(1992) Raul Seixas – O Início, o Fim e o Meio (various artists) – Epic/Sony Music - CD
(1991) O Inferno é Fogo (Lobão) – BMG - LP
(1991) Lucky! (Sandra de Sá) - BMG- Ariola – LP
(1990) A Girl from Ipanema (Ana France) - Yamaha Jazz - LP
(1990) Pepê (various artists) – Fonobrás – LP
(1989) Mais (Marisa Monte) – video
(1989) Pé de Boi: Power Samba Band (Guilherme Franco) - Arcadia - LP
(1986) Vania Bastos (Vania Bastos) - Bom Tempo/Copacabana – LP
(1986) Intelligence (Intelligence) – RCA – LP
(1984) Red on Red (Claudio Roditi) - Greene St Records – LP
(1982) The Brazilian Beat of Guanabara - Baystate Records - LP
(1981) Jewel Eyes (Frank Ferrucci) – Wren Records - LP
(1980) Elegia (Lloyd McNeill) - Baobab Records Co. – LP
Compositions
Compositions include:
LP The Brazilian Beat of Guanabara
LP Intelligence
- "Explode Alegria" (w/Simbas)
- "Homem do Fogo" (w/ Pedro & Albino Infantozzi, Simbas and Glauco Guerin)
- "Manhê” (w/ Simbas, Pedro Infantozzi and Albino Infantozzi)
- "Quero Ficar na Cidade” (w/ Kim Milford)
- "Rádio” (w/ David Musser)
- "Saudade de Você" (w/Simbas)
- "Sonho Louco” (w/ Pedro Infantozzi and Simbas)
- "Você Está Sempre em Mim” (w/ Kim Milford and Simbas)
CD Brazilian Jazz
- "Song for Anita"
- "Ascension"
- "Jungle Beat"
- "Children"
- "SUS"
- "Raga"
CD Swell - A Brazilian Cool Jazz Experience
- "Delfina"
- "Hades"
- "Liana's Waltz”
- "Presente para Deisy"
- "Song for Anita"
- "Swell"
- "Tomatoes"
- "Tudo Azul em Monicaland"
CD Surf Life
- "Ascension"
- "Back in the Water"
- "Balloneh"
- "Beach Break"
- "High Tide"
- "Hope"
- "Koalytha's Dream"
- "Panda the Fairy"
- "What a Day"
EP Alpha Solaris
- "Lifting Off"
- "Ascending"
- "Lending on Alpha Solaris"
- "Jupiter 1"
Single Agreste
- "Cangaceiro"
- "Menina Bonita"
Single Simetria
- "Simetria Parte A"
- "Simetria Parte B"
Single Arraial
- "Arraial Pt. A"
- "Arraial Pt. B"
EP Quilombo
- "Quilombo"
- "Xaxonico"
- "Caminho no Mato"
- "Meu Lugar"
EP A Brazilian Cool Jazz Experience
- "Hades"
- "Swell"
- "Presente para Deisy"
- "Delfina"
Album Axis Mundis - Suite for Guitar and Orchestra
- "Hades"
- "Sininha"
- "Beach Break"
- "Jungle Beat"
- "Leil dos Homens"
- "A Medley of Baloneh, Back in the Water & Hope"
Awards
Considered in 2000 one of the best jazz contemporary musicians by South Florida "New Times" magazine and listed in the world´s top 100 guitarists by Brazil´s Guitar Player magazine in 2006.
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