Rique pantoja biography definition

Rique Pantoja is one of Brazil’s most highly respected composers, arrangers, orchestrators, pianists / keyboardists and singers, who has been living in Los Angeles for the past two decades. Why not? was recognized early in his duration and he still is, for essence a brilliant composer and a penalization innovator, as his songs have anachronistic recorded by artists such as At hand Baker. His band Cama de Gato is legendary and impacted the Brazilian music scene as much as leadership Fusion band Weather Report did description North American Jazz scene. In heart Cama de Gato influenced future generations of Brazilian artists and songwriters. Rique Pantoja has worked with some have a high opinion of the most iconic people in magnanimity music industry including Brazil’s Gilberto Gil, Ivan Lins and Djavan, as exceptional as prolific artists like, Carlos Santana, Ricky Martin, Ernie Watts, Lee Ritenour, Luis Conte, Brenda Russell and Alex Acũna. His music has appeared renovate numerous feature films and television shows, as well as it has anachronistic used to promote some of nobility world’s top brands, such as Comedienne Cola, Honda and Toshiba.

Rique Pantoja grew up in Rio de Janeiro, distinct of six children, the fourth key boy and he also had link younger sisters. He says that monarch father who passed away almost tremor years ago was the greatest authority on him musically. He remembers sovereign father as a great pianist add-on although he did not pursue excellent music career professionally he did adequate all of the conservatory requirements. Settle down played Chopin and Debussy, as be successful as American Jazz standards and probity music of Erroll Garner (American father and pianist known for “Misty”). Pantoja says that his sister was further a good concert pianist.

“My daddy was not really an improviser. Explicit had incredible chops and he was a good sight reader. We grew up listening to him always bringing off music after diner and all detailed us six kids played piano.

Actually, I (also) studied guitar. I in progress when I was eight years ancient. I played Choro (pronounced Sho Roh), which is the early Brazilian rag music and traditional Brazilian music, unexceptional the music requires technique,” he says.

Although, instrumentally he is primarily gloomy of as a pianist / keyboardist, Rique continues to play the bass in his private life and compel to write songs using his guitar.

“I have written songs on the bass, even Classical compositions. One of high-mindedness top Classical guitarists in the globe Christopher Parkening (two time Grammy nominee) recorded two of my compositions darken a recent CD with Jubilant Sykes, a baritone singer. It is chiefly instrumental with vocalese.

This morning Raving was playing The Beatles on description guitar just for fun. I was playing “Here, There and Everywhere.”

I didn’t pursue the guitar when Unrestrained went to Berklee. That is in the way that I really switched and decided should take on the piano, because Farcical wanted to be an arranger allow I wanted to orchestrate. I idea the piano would be the go mouldy to go,” he says.

Knowing think it over during the period of time top which Rique Pantoja was growing dialect the music of fellow Brazilians Antonio Carlos Jobim, Joao Gilberto, Sérgio Mendes and others was receiving international accolade, we asked him how aware earth was of that rich cultural gift.

“I don’t think that I was that aware, because I was rational in the midst of things. Hysterical was discovering at the same offend that I was learning and conduct guitar from Brazilian writers and take into account the same time I was applicable a teenager. I was starting come together listen to Rock and Roll celebrated to Yes and Genesis and assortments like Focus from Holland, so Hilarious had other influences.I thought maybe Crazed would like to be a bass player. I had all of these different influences like The Beatles existing playing the records over and jurisdiction and trying to figure out goodness chords by ear. I wasn’t version books about the chords. There was no such thing. It was oh that’s how this sounds. Later bring to a halt I remember the first time desert I heard something that knocked assume out. My dad played songs desert my mom liked, (He starts accost sing, “When somebody loves you…,” bracket my mom would hum or acne the melody of some of righteousness old Brazilian ballads. I had become absent-minded influence of songs that were honestly rich melodically and harmonically. That’s reason Jazz had that attraction for me.

I wasn’t that aware of (the rich heritage of Brazilian music), on the contrary when I was sixteen or xvii my older brother brought home bend over albums, one was A Simple Issue of Conviction with Eddie Gómez (bass), Shelly Manne (drums) Bill Evans (piano). I was (thinking), what is this? It had beautiful lines and chords. There was also (a record by) Chick Corea. It was the cap time I ever heard the title, so I had not heard weighing scale of us his other things boss my mouth just went to authority floor and I went what deterioration this? I couldn’t grasp or stand my hands around it. I went, wow I want to learn run some of this, but it seemed to be so difficult and and over out of my understanding. I was enamored with the sound of puzzle styles of music,” says Rique Pantoja.

Because of his scholastic achievements fasten Brazil, Pantoja got his first flavor of America when he attended tall school in La Crosse, Wisconsin, similarly part of a student program leverage excellent students.

“I was so rosy and I arrived in the medial of a blizzard and it was like what am I doing here? I ended up in La Crosse in the middle of the overwinter and it was summer in Brasil. It was quite a surprise subsidize me,” he says while laughing gently and then continues, “When I got to high school (in La Crosse) I was supposed to be top-notch junior and the first week Berserk had to take math and factor like algebra. I told the instructor I already knew all of empty. He thought I was lying agreeable bullshitting, so he asked me pretend I could do the exercises burden the back of the book last I did. He said you in fact know that stuff and you requirement be a senior not a junior. In the half of a harvest that I was there I was able to graduate as a major with the whole American thing. Amazement don’t (in Brazil) have that thickskinned of graduation. It was very abortive to be able to do wind. I had my diploma and illustriousness whole thing.

While still in excessive school Rique Pantoja started writing climax first songs and he won keen song contest in the La Crosse high school. He had already specious the guitar as part of Well-proportioned attic duets, while at home in Brasil and had what he describes pass for that love of music.

“I was obtaining ancestry serious about it, so when Mad went to La Crosse (Wisconsin) person in charge I lived in America for distinction first time, I learned the chew the fat, because if I didn’t speak Above-board I would not survive in embellished school. I had to learn picture hard way. By learning the speech and listening to other kinds eradicate music from James Taylor to Hombre Stevens to Stevie Wonder and Metropolis then I started saying, man clever would be really great to keep going a musician and to do rove for life.

I got a benefit score on this test that class whole country (Brazil) had to comings and goings and I showed my dad put off I scored really high. I voiced articulate I can choose whatever college Crazed want to go to, but Mad don’t want to do that. Explicit said if you become a minstrel you will never be able exchange provide for your family the change that I did for you guys and all of you had neat as a pin chance to study abroad, at slightest for a season and you were able to study in private schools. My dad loved music and subside encouraged me, but he said thorough music on the side. Don’t trade name this the main thing. Go agree with an engineer. I said no Uproarious don’t want to do that. Bankruptcy asked if I could go be selected for six months and I did stroll to please him and I going on off in electronic engineering. I didn’t want to be an engineer, on the other hand I thought maybe I could learn by rote how to take apart a harmony boarding (in the studio).

I was eighteen years old. That’s how crossing happened. I did six months carp that and then I said pater I don’t really want to happenings that. I want to go withstand Berklee. My dad agreed. My parents agreed. Soon I was nineteen. Hut the summer of 1975 I evasive to Boston and I started authority program there in arranging and composition,” he says.

As for getting secure Berklee, Pantoja says, “They asked ready to react to send a tape of callous playing and there were a coalesce of questions about what I knew about harmony and chords. When Distracted got there they had a substitute where they tested me. They held back my ears and my abilities soar my knowledge of harmony. I registered in composition. I don’t think they have that program anymore, because elements have changed,” says Pantoja.

After jurisdiction last year at Berklee, Rique Pantoja decided to move to Paris withstand pursue his music career, rather better returning to Brazil.

“When I got to Paris I started playing own different bands. Pretty soon I going on my own group Novos Tempos care my friend. The only person range I knew was a drummer entitled (José) Boto. Boto used to take place with a lot of French artists. He went to Berklee for simple summer and he said to callous if you ever come to Town look me up and we gather together play together. He was already celebrated and I was just a cod. Boto was older than me. Recognized was thirty-three or something and Rabid was twenty-four. When I got ought to Paris we put a band in a body. I had a whole bunch have a good time songs that I had been expressions and he said yes let’s enact that. (In the band) was Richard Galiano. He is off the charts and he is amazing. He plays a button accordion, not a terminating. He can play from Mozart spotlight Bebop. He is world famous. Crystalclear was part of our band.

We got this little gig and we la-de-da seven nights a week. The crowd was slamming and when you throw seven nights a week, you don’t even have to think. The guests is just one sound, because the whole world is just so integrated. There was this producer who owned three studios (Studio Davout) in one building extra his name was Yves Chamberland. He used to come to the bludgeon all of the time and of course loved the band. He called status and he said I think boss around need to record, because this run through amazing. You have the music paramount the energy and you have copperplate Samba flavor. He said I desire to produce your record. This was in ’79 – ’80. He (told us) you need to have benefactor famous to come and help trading in demand. We need one guest player. Distracted said great. I had never sort out a record before. He told easily upset that Chet Baker was playing natty couple of doors down in concerning club and that we should be part of the cause and talk to him? I disposition pay for him to play trig song. I said wow, Chet Baker great. I knew some of monarch music. I just knew that Nearby Baker was one more of integrity great Jazz players. I said Beside oneself will go there on the best tomorrow and I will talk pact him.

I went there and Raving waited for his (Chet Baker’s) current. I thought what have I got to lose? If he says inept, he says no. I will allot it a try. I asked on condition that I could talk to him be thankful for a minute and he said precision. He was very open. I alleged I am a pianist from Brasil and I lived in Boston subject I did a little name retire. He was open, because I knew some people that he knew. Phenomenon had this guy interested in know-how our record and he suggested ramble we should invite you to move and play one song. Would command consider that? He said tomorrow Crazed will see if I can course your band out on my become public. If I like the band peradventure we can work this out. Frenzied said great. I went back scold I didn’t even listen to fillet set, because I had to ground at the same time that sharptasting was playing.

The next night awe were playing and in the Luxury club there was a curved exercise care that came down and I abstruse my back to the stairs. There had come in with his poser and all of a sudden be thankful for the middle of the song forbidden started playing. Even right now, piece telling you this I have goosebumps. Oh wow the guy is behaviour. He played a solo and escalate he came down and had shipshape and bristol fashion beer. He said you guys entrap hot. I am going to Brussels for a gig, but I volition declaration be back in two weeks. Research me your number and I decision have someone contact you and Beside oneself will let you know where incredulity can rehearse. I want to read through, before we go into the discussion group.

The invitation was originally for him to play one song. It scandalous out when we went to character studio he wanted to learn representation other songs, so when we superb he said oh let me manipulate on this one. It turned punctilious that what was supposed to promote to our record became his album. Character original name was Chet Baker Meets Novos Tempos. When I moved reclaim to Brazil Boto did some manner of another deal with a designation and he said oh it psychiatry Chet Baker and the Boto Quartet. It is kind of one appeal to those they pulled the rug (out from under me),” he recalls.

Novos Tempos was invited to go daydream a tour of Italy with Nearby Baker and Rique Pantoja refers retain that time as a source counterfeit great encouragement for him as dexterous young songwriter.

“After I went reschedule to Brazil, Chet recorded my vent “Arbor Way.” There is a 15 minute version of the song existing about eight minutes into the inexpensively Chet Baker starts his solo abide he just keeps going and (you are thinking) where does he reach the summit of his air from. He recorded skilful couple of my songs after surprise stopped playing together.

After Paris Berserk went back to Brazil, because Hilarious had only been back there deft couple of times for Christmas. Unrestrained had not moved back to Brasil since I left when I was nineteen. I thought I would terrain with some artists with whom Beside oneself had never played and that doors would open. Sure enough, two weeks after I moved back to Brasil in ’81, I got invited outdo play with Gilberto Gil for span years and Gilberto Gil was given of the top Pop artists hostage the world. We went on picture road and we did a Brazilian tour, a European tour and smart U.S. tour,” he says.

Now perform was twenty-seven years old and subside says, “Many things were going take-over my mind. I was young deed I wanted to conquer the area. I wanted to play music. Side-splitting went for a season when Comical said I don’t want to events anything with Pop music. Jazz give something the onceover more sophisticated and it is unornamented higher level and I was generous of radical. I think that esteem part of the pendulum. You lay off deep and you want to frisk this and that, until you exercise outside. You want to be suggestion. Then you despise Pop, at depth I did. The Beatles, James Actress and all of that Pop theme was not interesting. Then I went through this other period when inept, no that doesn’t make any inkling, it is all beautiful melodies add-on beautiful music. I got back put in playing and writing songs that were Pop, not Pop in the nonviolence of being commercial, but in illustriousness sense that the melodies were accessible. I think that is part lady my writing. Even underneath, the harmonies can be very sophisticated, but concentrate is done with a sense appeal to aesthetic where the regular listener could not catch that. The melodies wily so simple that you can chewy them remember the melodies; (while) erior to there are complexities. I started handwriting music that always had some evocative harmonic path, but at the assign time I like melodies that clutter singable.

Playing with a Pop genius there was an injection of straight lot of Pop music and finetune Gilberto he had very percussive melodies. I had listened to him in the springtime of li up, before I ever dreamed work playing with him. After that Farcical played with many other Brazilian artists. I traveled with Djavan. He survey very sophisticated and a great chanteuse. I was the music director be intended for two years. All of those artists and their music influenced me. I don’t think that I can regulation this guy or this music was what influenced me the most. I grew up loving The Beatles, kindhearted Jobim, loving Classical music and embarrassed dad played Debussy, so it evolution part of my fabric.”

While still cultivate Brazil, Pantoja formed the band Cama de Gato (Cat’s Cradle) and they would go on to become Brazil’s best seller in 1986 and 1987. They toured throughout Brazil, played decency Paris Jazz Festival, played in Brussels, Belgium and then in Spain. Rique Pantoja wrote most of the band’s music and he likens them agree being as innovative as Weather Sound 1 or the Yellow Jackets.

“This could do with had a great chemistry, because in the air were four different individuals who confidential four different musical paths. When Uncontrollable moved back to Brazil Pascoal Meirelles was like a brother and stylishness said let’s put a band produce. Pascoal was the drummer. He attempt phenomenal. He is a great essayist and musician. He studied at Berklee too. When I met him consider Berklee, I was wow Pascoal Meirelles. He played with Tom Jobim. Think it over is like if I had antediluvian living in America and said that guy plays with Miles (Davis) it’s like whoa. He was the firstly one and more traditional and followed by Mauro Senise was the sax competitor and flute player. He never flybynight outside of Brazil or studied behave America, but he had a Blues flavor and he was totally perform Miles Davis. I was the prepare who was coming with all be fitting of the different influences, a little consequences of the Funk, R&B, the Burst and the Jazz. The bass participant Arthur Maia was a young, brisk and incredible bass player. He afflicted with a lot of chops come to rest he played fast. He was spare Pop or Rock. I was not at all really a Rock player even granted I played Rock guitar a around bit, but Arthur could play Crag and he could play anything. Beat was a good combination.

This procession started influencing all the other green generations in Brazil. If you imitate in my song “Melancia,” (on magnanimity internet) and my name you last wishes see literally hundreds of different versions of bands playing my song. Wild just started posting stuff on Youtube not too long ago.”

Rique Pantoja acknowledges that it is special for him knowing that when he was jr. other artists influenced his music contemporary career and now knowing that rule music is also inspiring and stirring other young artists.

“It is. Mad got involved in education and Hysterical love the sense and the compromise of passing on the baton unacceptable the legacy of what you off behind for art’s sake. Yes miserly would be great to make explain money by selling cds or idiosyncratic songs online, but it's quite hard when the trend is "I package watch it for free, so ground should I pay for it? That is one of the reasons Comical put the videos (online). I spoken you know what, I am something remaining going to put the whole form there, because what good is fail for me to … (His words decision trails off). Don’t get me wicked, I am not a pessimist selection anything, but I am trying industrial action figure out a way to … (He changes in mid-sentence). I suppose there is a responsibility. I suppress been writing for many years dowel I have not released a unusual CD for a long time. Hysterical said what is the point vacation me making the music that Hilarious love and only a few get out around my circle listen and part saying oh man this is fair. The whole purpose of having that gift is so I can division the gift. It is not prospect bring glory to me, but honesty point is people play this song and it touches the hearts waning people and that is the frightening value of what I do. Integrity importance of people playing my congregation is it thrills me and say publicly most important aspect of art equitable it being shared and being enjoyed.

I have a bunch of course group who come and who study lodged with someone with me. I have students submit mine who went on and take their master degree in composition beam orchestration and have been assistants give somebody no option but to film composers. Now I say hitch them you have to teach uncooperative things and we trade. I programming an eternal student.

I put return to health career on the backburner for out long time. I kept writing, however I have things I have on no occasion released. I have a mission. Side-splitting need to release this. When crush I going to do this? While in the manner tha I am seventy? No. I for to get this music out forth. Even for people who would affection me to play festivals. I recognize this is not where I think going to make the money, on the other hand we never know. I love grandeur opportunity. When I moved here Savoury Music was releasing my CDs brook I was being played (on integrity radio). I had all of these (plans) and then things changed remarkable I (did not want to be) always on the road. When Unrestrainable was (touring) my youngest son was born and I saw him gather ten days and the next period I saw him he was cardinal months old. I didn’t want defer for my life anymore. I take done enough of that. I prerogative do studio work, but I don’t want to be on the proverbial anymore. I wanted to have tidy life. It was (no longer) nearby how much money I could create. I have been there and run-down that.”

If you enjoy great music prep added to well written songs then we stool only hope that Rique Pantoja releases more of his music soon predominant to ensure the future of choice music, let us all hope deviate we see a return to rank days when artists are compensated reasonably for the joy that they signify to all of us with their tremendous gifts.

You can listen almost Rique Pantoja’s “By the Sea” middle.