A BOSSA NOVA MUITO MODERNA DE JOAO DONATO (+ MUITO A VONTADE)

An iconic figure of the Bossa Nova, Brazilian pianist, composer and arranger João Donato (born in 1934; he is 84 years old at this writing) introduced a new original rhythm pattern to the genre. He is profoundly influential, having inspired generations of musicians. João Gilberto confessed to having taken his bossa nova beat at the violão from Donato’s piano playing. The pianist first worked with Altamiro Carrilho, and went on to perform with other musicians including Antônio Carlos Jobim, Johnny Alf, Bud Shank, Ron Carter, Airto Moreira, Eumir Deodato, Randy Brecker, Ray Barretto, Mongo Santamaria, Tito Puente, Astrud Gilberto, Cal Tjader, and several others. His solo career includes 29 albums recorded since 1953. Presented here in their entireties are two of Donato’s best albums ever, both recorded in a quartet format in 1962 and featuring the great Milton Banana on drums: A Bossa Muito Moderna de João Donato (Polydor LPNG-4 107) and Muito à Vontade (Polydor LPNG-4085).