Sunday, July 31, 2022

AccuRadio Song Of The Day-Walter Wanderley


Artist:Walter Wanderley

Song:Summer Samba (Samba de Verao)

Album:Samba Swing!


Organist Walter Wanderley was one of several Brazilian musicians who had commercial success when Brazilian music was brought to the US in the 60s. Summer Samba was a top 30 hit in 1966. These days Wanderley is perceived as lounge music, kinda kitschy. He was born May 12, 1932 in Recife, Brazil. He learned piano as a child and studied musical theory as a teen. He moved to Sao Paulo in 1958 and made his recording debut in 1959. Wanderley accompanied his singer wife Isaurinha Garcia and they recorded six albums together. In the early 60s he worked with guys like Joao Gilberto and Antonio Carlos Jobim. Wanderley's big break came when Tony Bennett spotted him while on tour in Brazil and decided to bring him to the US. He spoke to Verve Records producer Creed Taylor. Summer Samba was written by Marcos Valle. Wanderley's instrumental reached #26 on the Billboard Hot 100. It appeared on the 1966 album Rain Forest along with other Brazilian classics. Creed Taylor produced the album at Van Gelder Studio in New Jersey with Joe Grimm on flute, Urbie Green on trombone, Bucky Pizzarelli on guitar, Jose Marino on bass, Claudio Sion on drums and Bobby Rosengarden on percussion. Wanderley went on to accompany singer Astrud Gilberto. He moved to San Francisco and continued to perform until his death on Sept. 4, 1986 at age 54. Here's a video for Summer Samba by Walter Wanderley.


 

No comments:

Post a Comment