J. T. Meirelles

João Theodoro Meirelles (October 10, 1940 – June 3, 2008), better known as J. T. Meirelles, was a Brazilian saxophonist and flautist. He was born in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil and died at 67 years old in that same city. Meirelles is considered one of the creators of the samba-jazz rhythm, along with Manfredo Fest.

Biography

Meirelles was born in 1940 in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, and started his musical studies at 8 years old and graduated in Berklee School of Music, in Boston, Massachusetts, USA. In 1957, he started his musical career, playing in João Donato's group, while in Rio de Janeiro, and joining the pianist Luís Loy, when he moved to São Paulo.

1963 was one of the most important years in the musician career. When Meirelles moved back to Rio de Janeiro, he created the group Meirelles e Os Copa 5, composed by Manuel Gusmão (bass), Luiz Carlos Vinhas (piano), Dom Um Romão (drums) and Pedro Paulo (trumpet). The group would be considered one of the main bands of samba-jazz and played many times in Beco das Garrafas, where bossa-nova was born.

One year later, in 1964, Meirelles e Os Copa 5 recorded their first album: O Som. This work was positively criticised and considered a mark of samba-jazz.

In 1975, Meirelles moved to Europe, where he lived for three years. During this period, he played in many orchestras and bands. He played for four months in Mikonos Jazz Club, as member of Grupo Stress, also composed by Márcio Montarroyos, Laércio de Freitas, Luizão Maia and Pascoal Meirelles.

Meirelles died in 2008 at 67 years old due to stomach problems.

Discography 1963: Samba Esquema Novo 1964: O Som (Meirelles e Os Copa 5) 1965: O Novo Som 1969: Tropical with Meireles e Os Copa 7 2002: Samba Jazz!!