João Donato

Born in the State of Acre (North of Brazil) in 1934, João Donato started playing the accordion when he was a child. Donato moved to Rio de Janeiro in the 40’s and started performing by the beginning of the 50’s. While playing with Johnny Alf at the Plaza nightclub in Rio de Janeiro, Donato became interested in jazz and bossa nova. In that same period he made friends with Tom Jobim, João Gilberto, Luiz Bonf.. and others. Still in the 50’s, Donato made a few albums, and in 1959, he moved to Mexico and then to the U.S., where he lived for a few years. Donato toured with João Gilberto around Europe and returned to Brazil in 1962, recording the album "Muito .. Vontade". Before long he went back to the U.S., remaining for 10 more years. In the United States, Donato made solo albums and recorded with other artists. Some of his songs from that period include "Amazonas", "A Rã" and "Bananeira", which introduced an original rhythm for the piano part.Back to Brazil in 1975, Donato released "Lugar Comum" in collaboration with Caetano Veloso and Gilberto Gil. His songs, which possess a strong instrumental nature, include lyrics written by several acclaimed artists, like "A Rã" (by João Donato and Caetano Veloso), "Amazonas" (by João Donato and Lysias ..nio), "A Paz" and "Lugar Comum" (by João Donato and Gilberto Gil), "Nasci para Bailar" (by João Donato and Paulo Andr.. Barata) and "Gaiolas Abertas" (by João Donato and Martinho da Vila).Donato’s compositions have been recorded by singers like Gal Costa ("Flor de Maracuj.."), Adriana Calcanhotto ("Naquela Esta..ão"), Angela R.. R.. ("Simples Carinho") and Nana Caymmi ("At.. Quem Sabe"). Donato’s skills as arranger are very much sought after. Donato has orchestrated music pieces for Fagner, Gal Gosta and Martinho da Vila.In 1996, after a long period of oblivion, Donato recorded "Coisas Tão Simples", followed by "Caf.. com Pão", with Eloir de Moraes (1997), "S.. Dan..o Samba" (1999) and the three volumes of his songbook, published by Lumiar. These releases brought one of the most original songwriters back to the BPM scene. In that period, Donato performed and toured Brazil. In 2000, American label Elephant Records released the CD "Amazonas", including some of his greatest hits, like "Sambolero", "Vento no Canavial" and "Aquarius". Discography-albums: MANAGARROBA 2002 .. LAL.. LAY-.. 2001 AMAZONAS 2000 S.. DAN..O SAMBA 1999 CAF.. COM PÃO 1997 COISAS TÃO SIMPLES 1997 LEIL..ADAS 1986 LUGAR COMUM 1975 QUEM .. QUEM 1973 A BAD DONATO 1970 DONATO DEODATO - FEATURING JOÃO DONATO ARRANGED AND CONDUCTED BY DEODATO 1969 PIANO OF JOÃO DONATO - THE NEW SOUND OF BRAZIL 1965 BUD SHANK / DONATO / ROSINHA 1965 A BOSSA MUITO MODERNA DE JOÃO DONATO E SEU TRIO 1963 MUITO .. VONTADE 1963 CH.. DAN..ANTE - DONATO E SEU CONJUNTO 1956Extras : TUDO BONITO 2000 EU TIRO .. ONDA 1998 BELEZA 1979 Part: Arranjador NOVIDADE DE VIDA 1981 MI..CHA & TOM JOBIM 1979Tributes : SONGBOOK JOÃO DONATO 1999 MINHA SAUDADE 1995 Appearances : HERE'S THAT RAINY BOSSA DAY 2001 BRAZILIAN HORIZONS, VOL. 2 1998Related artists:Eumir Deodato Gilberto Gil João Gilberto Luiz Bonf.. Marcos Valle Edu Ribeiro