Chico Batera

Chico Batera ranks among Brazil’s most celebrated percussionists through extensive work alongside Michel Legrand, Ella Fitzgerald, Frank Sinatra, Elis Regina, Quincy Jones, Joni Mitchell, Tom Jobim, João Gilberto, the Doors, Milton Nascimento, Djavan, Gilberto Gil, and Chico Buarque, whose band he has served as a regular member since the 1960s.

His career began professionally in 1960 at the storied Carioca venue Night and Day. Appearances at the historic Beco das Garrafas placed him behind Johnny Alf, the Bossa Três, and Sérgio Mendes, the last of whom he followed to the United States. In 1966 he appeared at a jazz festival in Berlin, Germany. Back in Rio he performed with Luís Carlos Vinhas, entered Trio 3-D, and joined Copinha, Sérgio Barroso, and Dom Salvador, the latter of whom he accompanied once more to the United States for dates across several states.

After settling in Los Angeles he contributed to soundtracks by Michel Legrand and Gerald Wilson and appeared on LPs by Ella Fitzgerald, Frank Sinatra, Quincy Jones, Joni Mitchell, Tom Jobim, and the Doors, among others. In 1972 he recorded in Mexico with João Gilberto, then returned to Brazil the same year to participate in Som Imaginário’s A Matança do Porco. The following year he performed in Cannes, France, supporting Gal Costa, whom he also backed in Brazil together with Elis Regina. In 1975 he played on Cat Stevens’ Numbers and joined the composer for two tours through Europe and the United States that comprised seventy concerts. His first solo album, Ha, Ha, Ha, was released in 1977.