Multi-instrumental
percussionist born in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil.Somewhere between the age of five and seven, he began
experimenting with sounds and collecting percussive instruments, a
collection that would eventually number in the 200s.He emigrated to the States in 1973
and became a member of Sergio Mendes's band, Brasil '77, staying with them,
appropriately, until 1977.During this time, he also embarked on what would become a
mind-bogglingly prolific career as a session musician.The litany of artists and groups
with whom he has recorded is too long to list here, but includes Air
Supply, Herb
Alpert, Paul
Anka, Patti
Austin, Brothers Johnson, Phil
Collins, George Duke, The
Eagles, Aretha Franklin, The Gap
Band, Stix Hooper, James
Ingram, Elton
John, B.B. King, Living In A Box, The
Manhattan Transfer, Johnny
Mathis, Michael McDonald, Stephanie
Mills, Willie Nelson, Claus
Ogerman, Jeffrey Osborne, Dolly
Parton,Kenny
Rogers, Linda
Ronstadt, Diana
Ross, Carol
Bayer Sager, Toto, Luther
Vandross, Jody Watley, Deniece
Williams
, Yarbrough & Peoples, and Pia Zadora.Some of the high-profile records on
which he has appeared include Lionel Richie's "All Night Long",
Madonna's "La Isla Bonita", and Michael Jackson's Thriller.In addition to his myriad collaborations, he has
also recorded a few solo albums, including Agora, Happy People, Real Love, Sunrise, and Toys of Men.Paulinho plays about fifty different
percussive instruments, including bar chimes, bell trees, bongos,
castanets, chimes, claves, conga drums, cow bells, cymbals, gongs, kettle
drums, maracas, rainmakers, samba whistle, shakers, snare drums, spoons,
talking drums, tambourine, triangle, and wood blocks.You can hear his music in a number
of films, as well, ranging from Austin
Powers:The Spy Who Shagged Me
to The Color Purple, in which he
also made a cameo appearance as an African musician.He can also be seen in action in
the concert DVD Diana Krall:Live in Paris.Paulinho was honoured with the Most
Valuable Player Award and Musicians Emeritus Award from the National
Academy of Recording Artists.
