Jazz Pascoal Meirelles

Pascoal Meirelles is known as one of the best drummers in Brazil. Also a composer and arranger, he has worked extensively as session musician for performers such as Tom Jobim, Gonzaguinha, Hélio Delmiro, Wagner Tiso, Chico Buarque, Danilo Caymmi, Edu Lobo, Paulo Moura, Maysa, Wilson Simonal, João Bosco, and Ivan Lins. His first solo album was Considerações a Respeito (1981), followed by four others (in 1983, 1987, 1992, and 1998), and a compilation (1995). Pascoal Meirelles is one of the founders of the group Cama de Gato, one of the most successful instrumental groups in Brazil, which has recorded several albums and toured Brazil, Spain, France, Belgium, and the United States. Starting as a self-taught drummer, he became a professional at 18 in his hometown. In 1966, he formed his group Tempo Trio, with which he recorded his first album through Odeon. In 1967 he moved to Rio de Janeiro RJ, joining Paulo Moura's group as well as recording and performing shows with Maysa, Wilson Simonal, João Bosco, Ivan Lins, and other artists. He toured Mexico in 1972 and the U.S. in 1974 with the group Festa Brasil (which also employed Simone, Tenório Jr., Fernando Leporace, Chiquito Braga, and João de Aquino). In 1975 he received a scholarship for the Berklee College of Music (Boston) where stayed until 1979. He also performed in jazz clubs in the U.S. and performed the show Saravá in New York. During that stay he also contributed to Tom Jobim's double album Terra Brasilis. Returning to Brazil, he performed for over ten years in Gonzaguinha's band, having also recorded with Hélio Delmiro ("Emotiva"), Wagner Tiso ("Coração de Estudante"), Chico Buarque ("Ópera do Malandro"), Danilo Caymmi ("Cheiro Verde"), and Edu Lobo, among others. As an educator, he started workshops in Europe and released a book in 2000.