Deodato | Artist

Eumir "Deodato" de Almeida is a Brazilian pianist, composer, arranger, and record producer born 1943 in Rio de Janeiro. Although primarily a jazz musician, he is also known for his eclectic melding of genres, such as pop, rock, disco, classical, Latin and bossa nova. Deodato began his musical life on accordion when he was twelve years old, then piano two years later. He studied orchestration, conducting, and arranging, and formed his own bossa nova band in 1962. After releasing nine albums in Brazil his first US release Prelude sold five million copies and earned him a Grammy Award for the instrumental track "Also Sprach Zarathustra". His second US album, Deodato 2 reached number 19 on the Billboard album chart, while the single "Rhapsody in Blue" reached No. 41 on the Billboard Hot 100. Deodato has gone on to release 26 albums and produce music for major names such as Frank Sinatra, Roberta Flack, Dexy's Midnight Runners, and Björk. Standout albums include Inútil paisagem (1964), Os Catedráticos 73 (1973), Prelude (1973), Deodato 2 (1973), and Deodato in Concert (1974). The last-mentioned live album was a joint effort with Deodato's frequent collaborator, latin percussionist, Airto Moreira. Deodato also developed a close collaboration with Icelandic singer Björk from 1996 to 1998, arranging her albums Post, Telegram and Homogenic as well as conducting the orchestra in many concerts for her both in Brazil and in the USA. Eumir Deodato was married to Ruth Deodato from 1963 to 1999. Their daughter Kennya Deodato (b. 1968) is married to actor Stephen Baldwin. Their granddaughter Hailey Bieber is married to Canadian singer Justin Bieber.

Artist Website: eumirdeodato.com.br

Featured Albums: Deodato

Related Artists: Airto Moreira, Os Catedráticos, Os Gatos