Donald's Encyclopedia of Popular Music

A B C D E F G H I J K L M N O P Q R S T U V W X Y Z

ALMEIDA, Laurindo

(b 2 Sep. '17, S]ata[o Paulo, Brazil; d 26 July '95, Van Nuys CA) Spanish acoustic guitar, composer. To USA '47; played with Stan Kenton, own trio in LA; recorded with Bud Shank on flute (two '54 LPs as Laurindo Almeida Quintet); also Herbie Mann, Four Freshmen, etc; became famous with bossa nova style: Viva Bossa Nova album no. 13 on USA chart '62. Played with Modern Jazz Quartet '63, toured Europe with them '64. Also fine classical guitarist, pursuing concert career since late '60s, often with his wife, soprano Deltra Eamon. Recorded own First Concerto For Guitar And Orchestra '79 on Concord. Composed and conducted albums for other artists; worked on many films, incl. underscoring for Viva Zapata '52, down beat poll winner in film music category for The Old Man And The Sea '58, etc. Long-popular album Braziliance with Shank; Guitar From Ipanema '64 with eight pieces (two flutes), rhythm, vocalist Irene Kral on Capitol won Grammy. Solo LPs incl. Suenos (Dreams) '65 on Capitol, Concierto de Aranjuez '78 on East Wind (Japan). Also on Concord: Shank And Almeida's Selected Classical Works For Guitar And Flute '82; Chamber Jazz and Outra Vez (Once Again) (trios with bass and drums); Brazilian Soul '80, Latin Odyssey '82 and Tango '85 all with Charlie Byrd; Artistry In Rhythm '83 (trio); Music Of The Brazilian Masters '89 with Byrd and others; also nine albums by the LA Four (see entry for Ray Brown).