About Dom Um Romao

Born in Rio de Janeiro, Dom Um Romão (Aug 3, 1925 / Jun 26, 2005) started out his career playing the drums at parties and cabarets in his hometown. He worked on Radio Tupi, accompanying singers, and in the 1950s, formed Copa Trio, which played at Beco das Garrafas, the famous Bossa Nova nightclub in Copacabana. In 1958, he participated in the recording of "Canção do Amor Demais", by Elizeth Cardoso, with songs by Tom Jobim and João Gilberto on the guitar - the starting point of Bossa Nova. In the 60s, he played with Sergio Mendes, with whom he took part in the Bossa Nova Festival at Carnegie Hall, Nova York, in 1962. Romão also played in shows by Elis Regina, Quarteto em Cy and Flora Purim. By the end of the 60s, he returned to the U.S., where he collaborated in recordings by Tom Jobim, Tony Bennett and others. In 1971, he became a member of the group Weather Report, which introduced a number of innovative concepts to the language of jazz, and in the following year, he released his first solo album in the United States, "Dom Um Romão". He worked as drummer and percussionist in the States until the early 80s, when he settled in Switzerland. He has participated in many jazz festivals around the world. His reputation as a percussionist is due to his technique of imitating the sounds of nature, presenting different colors to the music. His samba beat, which is open, very dynamic and with an Afro puch, is also a hallmark. In the 90s, he played a few shows in Brazil, and in 1997 he recorded the CD "Rhythm Traveler".