Quarteto Novo

From HitStory, the pop encyclopedia of School of Rock · Artist

Quarteto Novo was a Brazilian group, formed in 1966 in São Paulo. It was first called Trio Novo and consisted of Theo de Barros on bass and guitar, Heraldo do Monte on viola caipira and guitar, and Airto Moreira on percussion. The group came together to accompany the singer and songwriter Geraldo Vandré, on stage and on record. When the flautist Hermeto Pascoal joined, the name became Quarteto Novo.

Music and breakthrough

In 1967 the group recorded its only album, Quarteto Novo, for Odeon. That same year it accompanied Edu Lobo in a live performance of Ponteio, which won the prize for best song at the third Festival de Música Popular Brasileira. In 1967 the album received the Troféu Imprensa for best television recording by a musical group, as well as the Troféu Roquette Pinto. In 1968 the group toured Brazil as the backing band of Vandré, who was then releasing the album Canto Geral. In 1969 it broke up. EMI reissued the album on CD in 2002 and on vinyl in 2003, and a European CD appeared in 2008.

Influence

All the members came from the north-east of Brazil, a region known for the baião, except Airto Moreira, who comes from the south. The album played a part in making the baião known throughout Brazil and then beyond. Although the style is little known outside Brazil, the album influenced songwriters in America, Britain and Europe. It also helped launch the careers of the individual members.

Listening

Discography

Studio albums

• 1967Quarteto Novo