MAURICIO PESSOA

MAURICIO PESSOA
Mauricio Pessoa

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  • MAURICIO PESSOA (Acoustic Guitar)

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MAURICIO PESSOA
HABITAT, 2010, Independent,
Produced by Ze Luis Oliveira & Beco Dranoff


BIOGRAPHY HIGHLIGHTS

Rio de Janeiro native Mauricio Pessoa is a 32-year-old singer/songwriter emanating from the current crop of young Brazilian music artists. A cool generation of global-minded new talents hat are keeping the great Brazilian musical tradition alive and well. Mauricio's original compositions are influenced by the classic Bossa Nova and MPB (Musica Popular Brasileira) music of composers such as Antonio Carlos Jobim, Chico Buarque, Joao Gilberto, Paulinho da Viola and other Brazilian greats.

Pessoa has been performing solo or with his group since 2006 in some of Rio's most famous venues as well as in important tribute concerts along with major Brazilian stars such as Joao Bosco, Ney Matogrosso and Zeca Pagodinho. One of these performances 'Uma Noite, Noel Rosa' (One Night, Noel Rosa), a tribute to the great Samba composer Noel Rosa was recorded and released on CD and DVD by Universal Music Brasil.

In 2007, Pessoa records and release his self-titled debut album produced by Rodrigo Campello also on Universal Music Brasil. The album comprised of 11 original songs was very well received by the public and acclaimed by the press as ''a successful start for a Carioca artist featuring brilliantly composed music" (Mauro Ferreira, critic, 'O Dia' newspaper).


In 2010 Pessoa finalizes his sophomore album entitled 'Habitat' produced in New York by arranger and reeds player Ze Luis Oliveira and producer/A&R Beco Dranoff. The album is the result of Pessoa's long-standing dream to record in the USA, where Bossa Nova and Brazilian music first got worldwide attention.


Recorded in December 2009 at Spin Studios in New York, HABITAT is centered on a concept, sonic palette and repertoire that was meticulously discussed and planned by Mauricio and producers, Ze Luis and Beco. The trio decided that the direction was to go 'old school' recording all the musicians at once live in the studio. Culling material from Pessoa's wealth of original material, the band was assembled for a marathon of rehearsals and arranging sessions at Ze Luis' studio at the Music Building.

The band includes Mauricio Pessoa (classic guitar and vocal), Ze Luis Oliveira (wood winds, percussion, arrangements), Simone Giuliani (piano), Jim Robertson (double bass) and Kenny Grohowsky (drums). The string quartet is Antoine Silverman (violin), Jonathan Dinklage (violin), Todd Low (viola) and Anja Wood (cello). Other musicians included are Darcy (trombone) and Ze Mauricio (percussion).

The ten songs on HABITAT reflect the Brazilian landscape drawing inspiration from Pessoa's experiences traveling back and forth to Brazil. Mainly influenced by Bossa Nova, Samba and Jazz, the CD consists of a transcontinental trip through diverse rhythms, sounds and themes.