Résumé
Carlinhos Gonçalves was born in Ibitinga (state of São Paulo). He has been playing drums dan percussion with outstanding precision and presence among the specialists of his profession for more than 40 years.
Early Career
His career began as a singer at the age of 18 in São Carlos. He was singing and playing drums in a Radio Show and at the same time performed several concerts with the famous singer Jair Rodriguez in 1960.
In 1965 he moved to São Paulo. In this year he had the chance to record the album "Boliche Trio" for the famous record company RGE. After this he worked as a freelance musician in nightclubs, socialclubs, etc. Playing in Big Bands as well as in trios, quartets, quintets, etc. and by replacing colleagues like Airto Moreira, Carlinhos Gonçalves became a requested professional musician in the birthtime of Bossa Nova music. He worked for the stars of this time, such as Alaide Costa, Tito Madi, Johnny Alf and also with the legendary alto-saxophone player and arrangeur "Case" (José Ferreira Godinho) and many others.
In the Seventies when jazz music developed, Carlinhos Gonçalves was involved in one of the first important fusion jazz groups - th "Grupo Um", whose members (Lelo Nazario, Zéca Assumpçao, Zé Eduardo Nazario and Mauro Senise) had worked together for five years with multi-instrumentalist and composer Hermeto Pascoal before. The gropup released their first album in 1979.
Following an invitation by the trumpet player Marcio Montorroyo from Rio, the "Grupo Um" participated among stars like Dizzy Gillespie, Larry Coryell and George Duke at the legendary jazz festival in São Paulo in 1979 wich was the first Jazz Festival in São Paulo ever. The "Grupo Um" was the opening band for John McLaughlin. The music of the "Grupo Um" became very important for the avantgarde scene not only in Brazil but also in France, where their album "Marcha Sobre A Cidade" was re-released in 1985. In 2003 it was re-released in Brazil.
The moving musician
In the early eighties Carlinhos Gonçalves moved to Australia. Here againhe became a requested jazz musician. Besides recording the albums "Nebula" and "Coco York" (jazz singer from the USA) he had many concerts with regional jazz players like: Don Burrows (flute), George Golla (guitar), and Erroll Baddel (saxophone) and many others. After performing with his band "Nebula" at the Sydney Jazz Festival in 1982 Carlinhos Gonçalves was invited by the singer Mark Murphy to play with him on stage at the same evening, which was regarded as a special highlight in Carlinhos Gonçalves career.
In 1984 he moved to California (San Francisco and L.A.)and had the oppurtunity to work with Mark Murphy many times again. after this Carlinhos Gonçalves became very well known in the jazz scene and had the chance to work with top jazz misicians like: Kenny Burrell, John Heard, Eddie Marshall, Ralph Penland, Sherman Ferguson and with the composer John Santos, the bandleader of "Machete Ensemble" and "Coro Folklorico Kindembo".
12 years later, 1993, Carlinhos Gonçalves decided to continue his career in São Paulo, ewhre he stayed for another five years. There he had the oppurtunity to work with the band "Mistura se Manda" together with the legendary Paulo Moura and many others. He also often worked for the cultural Center of São Paulo and for traditional Chôro groups.
In 1998 Carlinhos Gonçalvesmoved to Europe, where he live in Bremen, Germany. Here again he continued doing workshops and working with the best local jazz players.
However it's best to hear him perform live: an extremely thrilling musician, who is playing not only with a brilliant technique, but also personifying a part of music-history. Carlinhos Gonçalves is a musical storyteller, who always gives his best to satisfy his audience. His aim is to cumminicate with the people, so it is not suprising that he prefers to play on stage or to present his art in workshops. He not only wants to give his music to the audience but also himself as a whole person.
His mission
Carlinhos Gonçalves wants to create a positive atmosphere through interpretation, a kind of magical event. For him this is the magic of music. It is very important for Carlinhos Gonçalves to feel free in mind and above all to be completely independent of technical instructions. Only freedom allows creativity.
With his "Rhythm of the World" workshops Carlinhos Gonçalves wants to contribute to the multicultural structure of the community. This course is orientated in practise and is open for all promising percussionists, regardless of age, nationality and music-educational background.
Carlinhos Gonçalves is working with rhythms from Brazil (Samba, Batucada, Chôro, Baião, Frêvo, Bossa Nova and Jazzvariations, etc.), Cuba (Rumba, ChaChaCha, Bolero and Mambo) and Puerto Rico (Plana, etc.). But above all Carlinhos Gonçalves effort is to make people love what they do and enjoy themselves in participating together So it is very important for him that the participant developes a feeling for the music and starts doing things in a simple way.
Carlinhos Gonçalves' music comes from the heart and not the intellect and he is showing this in a very practical way. Therefore his workshops are always an experience for participants with a good sense of humor.
