Moacir Santos

Moacir Santos (26 July 1926 – 6 August 2006) was a Brazilian composer, multi-instrumentalist and music educator. Musicians such as Baden Powell, Bola Sete and Wilson das Neves studied under him. As a composer, Santos worked with Nara Leão, Roberto Menescal, Sérgio Mendes and Lynda Laurence, among others. His music was highly respected by musicians in Brazil and the United States, despite never achieving wider recognition. Mark Levine, Anat Cohen, and Muiza Adnet have all released albums consisting entirely of Santos’ music. Life and career Moacir Santos was born in Flores do Pajeú, Pernambuco in 1926. His mother died when he was two years old, and as his father had already left the family, he was taken in by another family. In 1967, Santos and his wife, Cleonice, moved to Pasadena, California, with the intent of breaking into the film industry. Shortly before dying, Santos was awarded the Shell Music and Premio Tim awards. Discography As leader * Coisas (Forma, 1965) * Maestro (Blue Note, 1972) * Saudade (Blue Note, 1974) * Carnival of the Spirits (Blue Note, 1975) * Opus 3 No. 1 (Discovery, 1979) * Ouro Negro (Universal, 2001) * Choros & Alegria (Adventure Music, 2005) As sideman