jAIDER DE OLIVEIRA

Growing up in Brazil's streets (hustle/bustle - music on very street corner made from anything one could find - pots, pans, stones, bins) helped Jaider de Oliveira be the musician he is today, with Brazilian culture & African influences. Receiving his 1st guitar (age 11), he never looked back. His father's words, "If you're going to do it, make sure you do it well," were Jaider's turning point.

 

Since then, with many successes in many parts of the world, he has brought the sounds of Brazil to people in an amazing musical journey. With a successful career in his birthplace, Jaider (guitarist, vocalist, percussionist, composer, arranger, teacher, producer) arrived in Sydney (1970), quickly making a name for himself in the local jazz scene. His band "Jay & Brazilian Cockroaches" recorded "Flight of the Angels" (1979 - Sydney Opera House: Jaider's 1st Australian album). Jaider & his group shared a gig with Isaac Hayes & his band during an Australian tour (1980). In 1982, the group featured at an International Music Festival (Sydney), supporting blues greats Sonny Terry & Brownie McGhee, & also supporting Freddie Hubbard (Birkenhead Point).

 

In 1982, Jaider's Perth arrival saw the enormously popular "Brazilia" formed, gaining TV guest spots on all commercial stations during his 7yrs in Western Australia. Throughout the 1980s, he made various recordings & live broadcasts at ABC Radio Stations across the country. In 1988, Jaider performed at the Jazz Yatra Festival (India) & the Houston International Music Festival (USA).

 

In recent decades, Jaider has designed a number of instruments, including a range of guitars that he had built & continues to play. In 1995, Jaider conducted extensive workshops with over 3000 people (including around 80 musicians in 9 marching bands playing his compositions & approximately 2500 dancers from schools across Brisbane), who he led at the opening celebrations at the Warana Festival street parade.

 

Jaider has also attended various Australian festivals with his 6 piece band "Jay & the Brazilian Malandros", including percussion workshops & solo performances (Woodford Folk Festival: 1995-1999 & 2001; Bellingen Festival: 1998; Mallacoota Festival: 1998). Jaider composed & recorded 2 tracks for a film shown at the Cannes Film Festival (2000). He also produced 3 more CDs ("Sambadownunder": 1995, "Roots": 2002, "Alegria Instrumental": 2006).