Fernando Merlino

Experienced pianist/arranger/composer Fernando Merlino would have preferred to dedicate himself exclusively to jazz/instrumental music -- he has had a nomination for the Sharp Awards as the Best Instrumental CD of the year -- but like many other instrumentalists, the uninviting Brazilian market for those styles brought him to work with singers. Doing both recordings and live performances -- even though they are some of the most expressive/visible ones in the country -- he has worked with Caetano Veloso, Maria Bethânia, Gal Costa, Chico Buarque, Rosa Passos, Leny Andrade, Simone, Elba Ramalho, Nélson Gonçalves, Leila Pinheiro, Martinho da Vila, Alcione, Fátima Guedes, Beth Carvalho, Zeca Pagodinho, Jamelão, Jair Rodrigues, Baby do Brasil, Pery Ribeiro, Jorge Aragão, and Martinho da Vila. Merlino started as a professional playing at the Orquestra do Maestro Cipó and in Chiquinho do Acordeon's group. Having worked as a composer/arranger for Globo Networks, he became a member of Emílio Santiago's supporting band in 1982. His 1992 album (recorded with his group Kabbalah, with whom he recorded four other albums released in Japan) was nominated for a Sharp Award for Best Instrumental Album of the Year. With Leny Andrade, he realized the show Juntos in 1993 and with Roberto Menescal, he worked as an instrumentalist/arranger on the recordings of Venezuelan Luz Marina, Japanese Utsumi Miyuki, the Japanese instrumental group the Square, and singers Cris Delanno and Lisa Ono. ~ Alvaro Neder