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Eumir Deodato

Brazilian-born Eumir Deodato has racked up 16 platinum records to his credit as artist, arranger or producer with combined sales of well over 25 million records in the USA alone. His discography, including compilations and all his work as arranger, producer and keyboardist, surpasses 450 albums. He has also had the honor of performing with the St. Louis Symphony (which backed him on his superb Artistry album), the Cincinnati Symphony, the New York Philharmonic and the Orchestra di Musica Leggera dell'Unione Musicisti di Roma. In addition, several artists over the years have covered his songs, including George Benson, Lee Ritenour, Sarah Vaughan and The Emotions to mention just a few.

And yet, in spite of all of his varied triumphs, honors and distinctions over the years, the multi-talented, multi-instrumentalist will probably forever be associated with one song - his innovative rendition of Richard Strauss' classical opus “Also Sprach Zarathustra” (or more commonly known as the theme to 2001: A Space Odyssey). That single compelling song, which first appeared on his 1973 debut album for CTI “Prelude,” sold at least five million copies and earned Deodato his first Grammy Award, instantly moved him to international stardom and setting a course for his remarkable ongoing career in music. Thirty years later, that same tune has found its way into the repertoire of the jam band Phish, a testament to Deodato's enduring influence.

Born in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, from Italian and Portuguese origin, Eumir Deodato got his start by playing the accordion at age 12. Shortly thereafter, he started studying piano as well as orchestration, arranging and conducting. Strictly self-taught, he immersed himself in theory books while spending countless evenings sitting behind orchestras and carefully observing how each part was played. His first break came at age 17 when he arranged and conducted his first recording session for a 28-piece orchestra. It wasn't long before Deodato became one of the most active and respected arrangers and pianists in Rio's busy music scene, recording for such artists as Milton Nascimento, Marcos Valle, Elis Regina and Antonio Carlos Jobim.

In 1968, Deodato moved to New York and began working with Luiz Bonfa, the legendary composer of Black Orpheus, while also doing extensive studio work for Astrud Gilberto, Walter Wanderley, Antonio Carlos Jobim, Marcos Valle and many other Brazilian artists who were living in the Big Apple at the time. When writing the arrangements for Astrud Gilberto's “Beach Samba,” he became acquainted with producer Creed Taylor, who hired him to arrange for other CTI artists like Wes Montgomery, Stanley Turrentine, George Benson, Paul Desmond and Tom Jobim. His reputation in the fields of pop and black music was strengthened by his arrangement work for Frank Sinatra (Sinatra & Co.), Roberta Flack (Killing Me Softly, Chapter Two, Quiet Fire) and Aretha Franklin (Let Me In Your Life).

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Album Review

Eumir Deodato: Os Catedraticos 73

Read "Os Catedraticos 73" reviewed by Chris M. Slawecki


In 1973, Eumir Deodato was riding high upon the GRAMMY® Award-winning success of “Also Sprach Zarathurstra (Theme from 2001: A Space Odyssey)," the Brazilian keyboardist's jazz-rock fusion take on Richard Strauss' classic, from his previous release Prelude (CTI, 1972). Deodato's next move, Os Catedráticos 73 doesn't mess with that successful formula but throws a lot more of his own keyboard playing on top. For its rhythm tracks, Deodato recorded a Brazilian rhythm machine featuring himself with bassist Sergio ...

3
Album Review

Eumir Deodato: Os Catedraticos 73

Read "Os Catedraticos 73" reviewed by Mark Sullivan


Composer/arranger/keyboardist Eumir Deodato is best known for a series of albums on the CTI label, notably Prelude (CTI Records, 1973) and Deodato 2 (CTI Records, 1973). Os Catedraticos 73 dates from the same period, and employs many of the same musicians. It was recorded between Rio de Janeiro and New York, featuring a Brazilian rhythm section including Azymuth drummer Ivan 'Mamão' Conti, percussion master Orlandivo, and bassist Sergio Barroso, while the horn section features some of New York's top brass ...

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Recording

Backgrounder: Eumir Deodato Plays Marcos Valle

Backgrounder: Eumir Deodato Plays Marcos Valle

Source: JazzWax by Marc Myers

In 1964, Brazil's Equipe label released Impulso!, an album by a 20-year-old studio keyboardist and arranger named Eumir Deodato. Today, Deodato is probably best known for his 1973 album Prelude and his work for producer Creed Taylor and his CTI label in the 1970s. Back in Brazil in the early 1960s, Deodato played organ in the style of many bossa nova players such as Walter Wanderley. Impulso!, along with Deodato's Inutil Pasisagem (Forma) and Ideias (Odeon) were similar in terms of ...

Video / DVD

YouTubers Dig Eumir Deodato

YouTubers Dig Eumir Deodato

Source: JazzWax by Marc Myers

Eumir Deodato remains one of the most successful and prolific Brazilian arranger-composers of the post-bossa era. He came to the U.S. in late 1960s to arrange several of Astrud Gilberto's post-Stan Getz bossa nova albums. Deodato has arranged more than 500 records, a portion under his own name and numerous albums and songs for American singers and pop acts including Aretha Franklin, Frank Sinatra, Roberta Flack and Kool & the Gang's hits Celebration, Ladies' Night and Too Hot. He also ...

Video / DVD

Deodato: Os Catedráticos 73

Deodato: Os Catedráticos 73

Source: JazzWax by Marc Myers

In 1972, around the time that Eumir Deodato was recording Prelude, an album for CTI that would become a massive hit, the Brazilian arranger and keyboardist also was recording Os Catedráticos 73 in Rio de Janeiro and New York. The album was a gentler and more lyrical ride than the fusion-y Prelude and has just been remastered and reissued by the U.K.'s Far Out Recordings. By the time these two albums were released in 1973, Deodato had already made a ...

5

Recording

Multi-Grammy Artists Randy Brecker, Eumir Deodato And Tom Scott Featured On New Album By Drummer Isaiah Stewart

Multi-Grammy Artists Randy Brecker, Eumir Deodato And Tom Scott Featured On New Album By Drummer Isaiah Stewart

Source: Isaiah Stewart

Jazz-funk drummer and worldwide recording artist Isaiah Stewart announces the release of his fifth album Summer Beat, which features trumpeter Randy Brecker, keyboardist Eumir Deodato and saxophonist Tom Scott. Summer Beat is currently available at CDBaby, iTunes, Amazon and all other popular online retail and music-streaming services worldwide. About Randy Brecker One of the most respected musicians in the world, Brecker is known for performing and recording with Frank Sinatra, Bruce Springsteen, Stevie Wonder, Aerosmith, James Taylor, Frank Zappa, Steely ...

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Video / DVD

Video Clips: Eumir Deodato

Video Clips: Eumir Deodato

Source: JazzWax by Marc Myers

Sometime around 3 p.m. yesterday afternoon, I had a craving for Eumir Deodato, the Brazilian composer-producer and jazz-fusion electric pianist. I have no idea why. Maybe it's the heat or that the light is fading earlier in the day and transitioning to early autumn. Or maybe I just wanted to hear a Fender Rhodes. It happens. Here are four clips of Deodato: Here's Deodato in 2011 playing Super Strut...   Here's the Deodato Trio playing Carly and Carole...   Here's ...

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Recording

Jazz Legend Eumir Deodato To Make Guest Appearance On Forthcoming CD By French-brazilian Guitar Virtuoso Marcelo Paganini

Jazz Legend Eumir Deodato To Make Guest Appearance On Forthcoming CD By French-brazilian Guitar Virtuoso Marcelo Paganini

Source: Glass Onyon PR - William James

Paris, France: One of the most intriguing guitarists to emerge from South America, Marcelo Paganini, a French/Brazilian guitarist/composer/producer/multi-instrumentalist/actor/journalist, who is best known for his hit song “Blues de Ninguem” with Brazilian rock band Kamikaze, has resided in Paris since 1984, and through the years has garnered a number of impressive accomplishments to his credit. Marcelo, whose YouTube channel has had over 33,000 views, most recently created a new video for his 2007 single “Technodream", which is now available for viewing ...

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Recording

Brazilian Legend Deodato Releases New CD Featuring Special Guest Al Jarreau

Brazilian Legend Deodato Releases New CD Featuring Special Guest Al Jarreau

Source: Cheryl Hughey Promotions

"quintessential Deodato, flexing both his compositional muscle and industry connections." —Ryan Snyder, Yes! Weekly San Francisco, CA / May 17, 2011 There are some artists that will always withstand the test of time.... NuGroove 2.0 / SMC proudly presents the United States and Canadian release of Eumir Deodato's “The Crossing" with special guest appearances by contemporary jazz legend Al Jarreau on “Double Face" and “I Want You More." With combined sales of over 25 million records as an artist, arranger ...

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Birthday

Jazz Musician of the Day: Eumir Deodato

Jazz Musician of the Day: Eumir Deodato

Source: Michael Ricci

All About Jazz is celebrating Eumir Deodato's birthday today!

JAZZ MUSICIAN OF THE DAY Eumir Deodato

Brazilian-born Eumir Deodato has racked up 16 platinum records to his credit as artist, arranger or producer with combined sales of well over 25 million records in the USA alone. His discography... more

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Follow Eumir Deodato @ AAJ

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