Geraldo de Oliveira started playing percussion professionally at the age of fourteen in his Uncle Nelson’s big band in Belo Horizonte, Brazil. In 1976, he moved to Chicago, where had the privilege of working with artists from around the world in both concert and recording settings. He had recorded with major Chicago artists including Ramsey Lewis, Judy Roberts, Linda Clifford, Rich Fudoli, Bobby Lewis, Guy Fricano, Gene Chandler, The Chi Lites, Lesley Spencer, Scott Anderson, Chévere and others.

Geraldo was a guest artist on the last album that Buddy Rich recorded in Chicago. On-stage performances include engagements with Chévere, Airto Moreira, Flora Purim, Toninho Horta, Barbara Eden, Vic Damone, Aretha Franklin, Yma Sumac, and the Lakeside Singers. Geraldo has also conducted various educational clinics on Brazilian Percussion in the US and Canada.

He is a a guest faculty member for the Birch Creek Music Center in Door County, Wisconsin, Brazilian Percussion Instructor for the Music Institute of Chicago, and one of the Jazz Mentors for Ravinia’s Community Outreach and Education Programs. As a Jazz Mentor for Ravinia, he performs with the Mentors Ensemble and conduct weekly Brazilian Percussion master classes at major public high schools in Chicago.

His most recent recordings include Bobby Lewis’ "Just for Fun", Sergio Pires’ "Umbigo", Mike Ferro’s "Ferro sings Django", Scott Anderson’s “Batizado”, Spider Sallof’s “Like Glass", Band of Joes “A Sense of Fairness”, Lesley Spender’s “Postcards from Spain” and Bobby Shiff’s “Late Game”. 

Geraldo is also a free lance sound engineer/producer and owner of Cathedral Recording.  Read more:

http://www.myspace.com/geraldodeoliveira#ixzz0vXmkfVux

All photos on this page were taken by and are property of Chicago Studio Club .

Belo Horizonte, Brazil is GERALDO’S hometown!