Walter Wanderly
Encyclopedia
Walter Wanderley pronounced "VON-DER-LAY", was an organist
and pianist
, born in Recife, Brazil and best known for his lounge
and bossa nova
music.
Already famous in his native country by the late 1950s,in the mid 1960's he became an internationally renowned star through his collaboration with the singer Astrud Gilberto
.
He recorded six albums on the Verve
label between 1966 and 1968. Three of these albums, Rainforest, Cheganca and Astrud Gilberto's A Certain Smile, A Certain Sadness
were with a trio consisting of Walter, Claudio Slon
(drums) and Jose Marino (bass) and were produced in the United States by Creed Taylor
, who initially brought the Trio to the U.S. to record at the persuasion of Tony Bennett
. Wanderley's U.S. recording of Summer Samba
reached #26 on the Billboard charts
in the summer of 1966.. Another album recorded during this period was "Popcorn", in collaboration with the Brazilian singer-guitatrist Luiz Henrique Rosa
.
After the Trio disbanded (though they were briefly reunited in 1971 for "The Return of the Original" on Canyon Records
), Wanderley himself continued to record albums on Verve, A&M
/CTI
, and GNP Cresendo. During this time he also made numerous personal appearances, including a concert tour of Mexico.
Wanderley was known for his distinctive staccato stuttering style and mastery of the Hammond L-100 organ. Unfortunately his later career was blighted by alcoholism and he died in relative obscurity of cancer in 1986.
He was married to Isaurinha Garcia, one of the most popular singers in Brazil.
Sources: Billboard Top Pop Hits, Billboard Archives
Organist
An organist is a musician who plays any type of organ. An organist may play solo organ works, play with an ensemble or orchestra, or accompany one or more singers or instrumental soloists...
and pianist
Pianist
A pianist is a musician who plays the piano. A professional pianist can perform solo pieces, play with an ensemble or orchestra, or accompany one or more singers, solo instrumentalists, or other performers.-Choice of genres:...
, born in Recife, Brazil and best known for his lounge
Lounge music
Lounge music is a retrospective description of music popular in the 1950s and 1960s. It is a type of mood music meant to evoke in the listeners the feeling of being in a place — a jungle, an island paradise, outer space, et cetera — other than where they are listening to it...
and bossa nova
Bossa nova
Bossa nova is a style of Brazilian music. Bossa nova acquired a large following in the 1960s, initially consisting of young musicians and college students...
music.
Already famous in his native country by the late 1950s,in the mid 1960's he became an internationally renowned star through his collaboration with the singer Astrud Gilberto
Astrud Gilberto
Astrud Gilberto is a Brazilian samba and bossa nova singer. She is well known for the Grammy Award-winning song "The Girl from Ipanema".-Biography:...
.
He recorded six albums on the Verve
Verve Records
Verve Records is an American jazz record label now owned by Universal Music Group. It was founded by Norman Granz in 1956, absorbing the catalogues of his earlier labels, Clef Records and Norgran Records , and material which had been licensed to Mercury previously.-Jazz and folk origins:The Verve...
label between 1966 and 1968. Three of these albums, Rainforest, Cheganca and Astrud Gilberto's A Certain Smile, A Certain Sadness
A Certain Smile, a Certain Sadness
- Personnel :* Astrud Gilberto – Vocals* Walter Wanderley – organ* José Marino – bass* Claudio Slon – drums* Bobby Rosengarden – percussion* João Gilberto – guitar * Creed Taylor – producer...
were with a trio consisting of Walter, Claudio Slon
Claudio Slon
Claudio Slon was a notable Brazilian jazz drummer born in São Paulo, Brazil. He performed in a variety of Latin music genres, including Latin pop, Latin jazz, Brazilian pop and Easy pop....
(drums) and Jose Marino (bass) and were produced in the United States by Creed Taylor
Creed Taylor
Creed Taylor is an American record producer, best known for his work with CTI Records, which he founded in 1968. Taylor’s career also included work at Bethlehem Records, ABC-Paramount, Verve, and A&M Records...
, who initially brought the Trio to the U.S. to record at the persuasion of Tony Bennett
Tony Bennett
Tony Bennett is an American singer of popular music, standards, show tunes, and jazz....
. Wanderley's U.S. recording of Summer Samba
Summer Samba
Summer Samba is a 1966 bossa nova song by Brazilian composer Marcos Valle, with English-language lyrics by Norman Gimbel; the original Portuguese lyrics came from Paulo Sérgio Valle, brother to the composer.The song was first popularized by the Walter Wanderley Trio in 1966 — the album Rain...
reached #26 on the Billboard charts
Billboard charts
The Billboard charts tabulate the relative weekly popularity of songs or albums in the United States. The results are published in Billboard magazine...
in the summer of 1966.. Another album recorded during this period was "Popcorn", in collaboration with the Brazilian singer-guitatrist Luiz Henrique Rosa
Luiz Henrique Rosa
Luiz Henrique Rosa , , also known as Luiz Henrique, was a Brazilian musician and soccer player. He was born in the city of Tubarão and died in Florianópolis.-Discography:* 1961 : Garota da Rua da Praia...
.
After the Trio disbanded (though they were briefly reunited in 1971 for "The Return of the Original" on Canyon Records
Canyon Records
Canyon Records of Phoenix, Arizona has produced and distributed Native American music for 56 years. Canyon was founded in 1951 by Ray and Mary Boley, who had opened the first recording studio in Phoenix, Arizona Recording Productions, in 1948...
), Wanderley himself continued to record albums on Verve, A&M
A&M Records
A&M Records is an American record label owned by Universal Music Group that operates under the mantle of its Interscope-Geffen-A&M division.-Beginnings:...
/CTI
CTI Records
CTI Records was a jazz record label founded in 1967 by producer/A&R manager Creed Taylor. Initially, CTI was a subsidiary of A&M Records, but the label went independent in 1970...
, and GNP Cresendo. During this time he also made numerous personal appearances, including a concert tour of Mexico.
Wanderley was known for his distinctive staccato stuttering style and mastery of the Hammond L-100 organ. Unfortunately his later career was blighted by alcoholism and he died in relative obscurity of cancer in 1986.
He was married to Isaurinha Garcia, one of the most popular singers in Brazil.
Discography
- 1959: Festa dançante
- 1960: Eu, você e Walter Wanderley
- 1961: Sucessos dançantes em ritmo de romance
- 1961: Walter Wanderley
- 1962: Samba é samba com Walter Wanderley
- 1962: O sucesso é samba
- 1963: Samba no esquema de Walter Wanderley
- 1963: Walter Wanderley e o bolero
- 1963: O samba é mais samba com Walter Wanderley
- 1964: Órgão, sax e sexy-Walter Wanderley e Portinho
- 1964: Entre Nós
- 1966: Rain Forest (Verve)
- 1966: Cheganca (Verve)
- 1967: Batucada
- 1967: Kee-Ka-Roo (Verve)
- 1968: When It Was Done CTI RecordsCTI RecordsCTI Records was a jazz record label founded in 1967 by producer/A&R manager Creed Taylor. Initially, CTI was a subsidiary of A&M Records, but the label went independent in 1970...
- 1969: Moondreams CTI
- 1969: Popcorn (Verve)
Singles
- Summer Samba (So Nice) US # 26, 1966
- On The South Side Of Chicago (1967) Did Not Chart
Sources: Billboard Top Pop Hits, Billboard Archives