Rafael Barata

Rafael Barata’s BioRafael Mendes Barata, born in September 26th of 1980, started to play drums at 5 years of age. Throughout his childhood he was dedicated to MPB, in special learning the Bossa Nova, whose attraction it came of the family; His father Roberto Mendes, Musician and his brother Beto, pianist. Self taught on drums, he recorded his first CD at age 14. He studied musical theory in the adolescence with Professor Jose Guedes Sobrinho. He won two Brazilian Drums Festivals: 1st Batuka - At age 15, and the Batuka Masters 2000. Both had been developed by the Brazilian Drummer Vera Figueiredo. He has recorded with diverse artists, amongst them the Brazilian singers Rosa Passos, Zizi Possi, Edu Lobo, Flávio Venturini, Leila Pinheiro, Ivan Lins, Angela Ro Ro, Paula Morelenbaum, Maúcha e Muiza Adnet, Mônica Salmaso, Joyce, Alcione, Luís Melodia, Dario Galante (piano – Italy), Idriss Boudrioua (Sax – France), Osmar Milito (piano – Brazil), Durval Ferreira (acoustic guitar and Bossa Nova composer - Brazil), João Donato, Mario Adnet (acoustic guitar, producer and composer - Brazil), Moacir Santos, Hélio Celso (piano – Brazil / Japan), JT Meirelles (Sax – Brazil), Spok Frevo, Hamilton de Hollanda, Maurício Einhorn, Jaques Morelenbaum, Lula Galvão, Marcos Valle, Marcos Amorim, Daniel Garcia (Sax – Brazil), Claudio Roditi (Trumpet – Brazil), Guilherme Dias Gomes (Trumpet – Brazil), Turi Collura (Piano – Italy). Rafael has also worked with Brazilian singers Zezé Motta, Emilio Santiago, Zé Renato, Roberta Sá, Paula Santoro, Maúcha Adnet, Ney Matogrosso. Participated of some jazz festivals in Brazil beside of Brazilians like Hermeto Pascoal, Jovino Santos Neto, Phillipe Baden Powell and “Meirelles e os Copa 5”, the Canadian Jean Pierre Zanella (Sax- Montreal), the American Ray Moore (Sax – New Orleans), Idriss Boudrioua, Dario Galante, Jeff Gardner, among others. Made history in the most traditional and popular Jazz club of Rio de Janeiro, Mistura Fina. With Osmar Milito trio, he has participated in jam sessions with the likes of Russell Ferrante, Mike Shapiro, John Pizzarelli, Jane Monheit, Karrin Allison, Kevin Lethau and many others. In the lasts years, Rafael was Special Guest in Japan to play with Mika Mori, Japanese piano player in her CD/DVD releasing tours. In the USA, he is releasing some cds, in special “Revolving Landscapes” with Marcos Amorim (guitar) and Jorge Albuquerque (bass). In Los Angeles he is developing with Robby Marshall a new jazz conception mixing your different experiences. Also plays Dominic Thiroux, Bass and Matt Politano, Piano. In world tours, he played at Jazz en Lima Festival 2004 with Jeff Gardner, 2007 with Root System and 2008 with a NY singer Elin. In Europe, played with the group “Nosso Trio” at Kaunas Jazz Festival, and with his trio “Cello Samba Trio” (Jaques Morelenbaum, Lula Galvão e Rafael) in the others countries. In Brazil, Rafael plays with a living bossa nova legend, Edu Lobo, and the Pop singer Angela Ro Ro, now releasing CD/DVD. Inside of jazz, he plays with Dario Galante Trio, Osmar Milito Trio, and Idriss Boudrioua Septet Base & Brass, now releasing CD. Since 2006, Rafael is teacher of CIVEBRA (Brasília International Summer Music Course) and develops workshops around Brazil and the world. More informations, please visit www.rafaelbarata.com