Nonato Luiz

Biography

Born in Ceara (state in northeast of Brazil) in the city Lavras da Mangabeira, Nonato Luiz began his artistic history in 1956, playing"cavaquinho" (little guitar, typical from Brazil). In that time, showing a obvious tendency between the popular music and the classical music, chose the guitar as his definitive instrument. In 1975, having perfect harmony with his instrument, Nonato Luiz, who was already a composer, won his first recognition, the 1st. prize at the Guitar Players Contest produced b...

Born in Ceara (state in northeast of Brazil) in the city Lavras da Mangabeira, Nonato Luiz began his artistic history in 1956, playing"cavaquinho" (little guitar, typical from Brazil). In that time, showing a obvious tendency between the popular music and the classical music, chose the guitar as his definitive instrument. In 1975, having perfect harmony with his instrument, Nonato Luiz, who was already a composer, won his first recognition, the 1st. prize at the Guitar Players Contest produced by Tupi TV , in São Paulo.

His first album "Terra" (Earth), released in 1980, had Raimundo Fagner, João Donato and Bimba's participation. Two years later, he recorded an album with the "flamenco" guitar player Pedro Soler. In 1984, Nonato had participation in another work, this time in honor to the painter Pablo Picasso, which was released in Europe. This record had the partnership of Mercedes Sosa, Paco de Lucia and Rafael Alberti. That same year, in Johannesburg, South Africa, Nonato Luiz concluded some work through the SABC stamp.

In 1985 he went on his first tour through Europe, ad made concerts in Italy,France and Austry. He had then the opportunity to play, for the first time, in the Mozarteum, Salsburg , the temple of the world greatest instrumentalists. That same year, in Paris , he recorded the album "Guitarra Brasileira", having only his compositions. On his way back to Brazil , he participated in some albums and concerts with Brazilian singers and composers (Chico Buarque, Fagner, Nara Leão and Luiz Gonzaga).

His new European season came in 1989, this time, besides Austry, Italy and France, he got to go to Germany, confirming his international prestige. In the following year, 1990, trought Caju Music, recorded one more album called"Gosto de Brasil" , having as percussionist Djalma Corrêa and as bassist Luiz Alves.

In 1990, during his European tour, playing in Austry, Switzerland, Italy and Germany, Nonato Luiz recorded "Retrato do Brasil". This album was distributed to all the world by Otto. Following that, he had some concerts in Cecilia Meireles Room, in Rio de Janeiro, and made a tour with Fagner throughout Brazil, besides that, he made a solo tour through the North and Northeast of Brasil. In that same year, he released two albuns, the first one titled "Carioca" , having as keyboard playerTúlio Mourão. It was released on a inedited presentation at the Free Jazz Festival, in Brazil, which was considered , by the critics, the best sound in that event. The second one came from the well-known Milton Nascimento's music, what resulted on the album "Fé Cega". This work was enlarged and released again in CD titled "Milton Nascimento by Nonato Luiz".

In 1992, after his habitual European tour, Nonato had a season sponsored by UNESCO, in the Salle de Cinéma, Paris , where he also recorded "Terra à Vista", ECO 92 oficial theme.

In 1994, he recorded an albun entirely dedicated to Baião's King (Baião is a popular brazilian rhythm from the Northeast part of Brazil), Luiz Gonzaga. In the following year, he played in the United States, being part of a group of brazilian artists that participated in the event "It's time for Brazil" , in downtown New York.

After releasing his european works in the brazilian market, Nonato Luiz lended his cords to Beatles international musicality, resulting in a album released in 2000, titled "Nonato interpreta Beatles" (Nonato plays Beatles), which was considere his "Album Branco" (White album), by Kuarup.

2001 was the year in which he made two albums with Fernando Rocha e Abel Silva, two moments whew his guitar cords amplify the voices of these two singular artists.

In 2002 Nonato Luiz made a tribute to other composers from Ceara (State where Nonato was born), recording the album "Ceará", in which he made a really personal reading of the work of 18 composers from his state (Ceara). Through this work , Nonato Luiz travelled to 15 great cities from the Northeast, showing the music composed in Ceará during the 20th Century.

Nonato Luiz has won several prizes, amongst them, a Prêmio Sharp de Música (Sharp Prize of Music), with the music "Baiao de Rua" (Street Baiao), which was composed with another artist from Ceara, the poet Fausto Nilo. Until these days, Nonato has international and national seasons, where he promotes his great work. It can be afirmed the Nonato Luis is one of the most respected brazilian instrumentalists in the European circuit, not only by his appreciators, but also by the especialized critics, always giving large compliments to Nonato´s concerts. He is also, one of the brazilians who have publish in Europe a book with his compositions, titled "Suite Sexta em Re para guitarra", edited by Henry Lemoine, from Paris.

Having more than 700 composed songs and many partnerships with other Brazilian artists, Nonato was recorded by the greatest names of the Brazilian Music, such as Nara leão, Geraldo Azevedo, Belchior, Fagner and others. Nonato Luiz has a extense and varied discography, and has published four books containing his compositions.

A true referency of the music mix of erudite elements and elements from the Northeast of Brazil, from Forro (Popular rhythm from Northeast) to Jazz, from Bossa-Nova to Blues, from Baião to the Baroque Music, Nonato Luiz is a sound alchemist, an artist that reunite in his music, all the influencies, making it unique and magisterialy sonore without, however, going apart from its biggest identity, the Northeast Brazilian roots.

Info from artist's official site: http://nonatoluiz.com.br/ Read more on Last.fm. User-contributed text is available under the Creative Commons By-SA License; additional terms may apply.