Walter Wanderley
Walter Wanderley (12 May 1932 – 4 September 1986), pronounced "VON-DER-LAY", was an organist and pianist, born in Recife, Brazil and best known for his lounge and bossa nova music.[1]
Already famous in his native country by the late 1950s,in the mid 1960's he became an internationally renowned star through his collaboration with the singer Astrud Gilberto. He recorded six albums on the Verve label between 1966 and 1968. Three of these albums, Rainforest, Cheganca and Astrud Gilberto's A Certain Smile, A Certain Sadness were with a trio consisting of Walter, Claudio Slon (drums) and Jose Marino (bass) and were produced in the United States by Creed Taylor, who initially brought the Trio to the U.S. to record at the persuasion of Tony Bennett. Wanderley's U.S. recording of Summer Samba reached #26 on the Billboard charts in the summer of 1966.[2]. Another album recorded during this period was "Popcorn", in collaboration with the Brazilian singer-guitatrist Luiz Henrique Rosa.
After the Trio disbanded (though they were briefly reunited in 1971 for "The Return of the Original" on Canyon Records), Wanderley himself continued to record albums on Verve, A&M/CTI, and GNP Cresendo. During this time he also made numerous personal appearances, including a concert tour of Mexico.[2]
Wanderley was known for his distinctive staccato stuttering style and mastery of the Hammond L-100 organ. Unfortunately his later career was blighted by alcoholism and he died in relative obscurity of cancer in 1986 in San Fransisco.[3]
He was married to Isaurinha Garcia, one of the most popular singers in Brazil.
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[edit] Discography
- 1959: Festa Dançante (RGE)
- 1960: Eu, Você e Walter Wanderley (Odeon MOFB-3085)
- 196?: Feito Sob Medida (Odeon MOFB-3109)
- 1961: Sucessos Dançantes Em Ritmo de Romance (Odeon MOFB-3155)
- 1961: O Sucesso é Samba (Odeon MOFB-3204)
- 1962: Samba é Samba (Odeon MOFB-3248)
- 1962: O Samba é Mais Samba (Odeon MOFB-3285)
- 1962: E O Bolero (Odeon MOFB-3289)
- 1963: Samba No Esquema (Odeon MOFB-3358)
- 1964: Entre Nós (Philips P 632.197 L)
- 1964: Órgão Sax Sexy (Philips P 632.721 L)
- 1964: O Toque Inconfundivel (Philips P 632.726 L)
- 1965: Quarteto Bossamba (Som Maior)
- 1965: O Autêntico Walter Wanderley (Philips P 632.757 L)
- 1965: Samba So (Fermata)
- 1966: Sucessos + Boleros (Philips P.632.894 L)
- 1966: Rain Forest (Verve V6-8658)
- 1966: A Certain Smile A Certain Sadness (Verve V6-8673)
- 1966: Cheganca (Verve V6-8676)
- 1967: Brazilian Blend (Philips PHM 600-227)
- 1967: Batucada (Verve V6-8706)
- 1967: Popcorn (Verve V6-8734)
- 1967: Kee-Ka-Roo (Verve V6-8739)
- 1968: When It Was Done (A&M Records, CTI Records SP-3018)
- 1969: Moondreams (A&M Records, CTI Records SP-3022)
[edit] Singles
- Summer Samba (So Nice) US # 26, 1966
- On The South Side Of Chicago (1967) Did Not Chart
Sources: Billboard Top Pop Hits, Billboard Archives
[edit] References
- ^ Allmusic
- ^ a b Discography
- ^ "Walter Wanderley" (in English). thebestofbrazil.info. http://www.thebestofbrazil.info/sketches/BDS0532.html. Retrieved 9 December 2011.
