Bocato

Bocato started his musical studies at age seven in the band of the local school Escola Municipal Baeta Neves aos 07 anos de idade. Later he studied at the Fundação das Artes de São Caetano, at the Instituto de Música do Planalto, and Faculdade da Unesp (where studied composition and conducting). In the late '70s he accompanied Arrigo Barnabé and Itamar Assunção at the Festival Universitário da Cultura (São Paulo), won by Arrigo with the song "Diversões Eletrônicas." Next came a period reputed by Bocato as his second formation; he became a member of Arrigo's band and played intensively under his direction. The third formation came in 1980 when Bocato played and recorded with Elis Regina in the show Saudades do Brasil. Coached by Elis' experienced and talented arranger/pianist César Camargo Mariano, Bocato continued his hands-on studies on Brazilian music playing. He has been working with various artists like Rita Lee, Ney Matogrosso, Ná Ozetti, Zé Miguel Wisnik, Suzana Sales, Luiz Waack, Paulo Lepetit, Jarbas Mariz, Art Popular, Roberto Carlos, and others. In 1982, he founded the Banda Metalurgia, with whom he recorded the album Banda Metalurgia, which was considered the best of the year. Bocato released his first solo album, Bocato, in 1985, followed by Lixo Atômico, Sonho De Um Anarquista, and six other records, with highlights on Bem Dito. In 1994, Bocato played at the Montreux Festival, Switzerland. In 1997, he released the CD Tributo a Pixinguinha, a tribute to the master with new orchestrations for his masterpieces. The album was presented in a tour through several European countries.